Six-term NJ Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes II died today. A former FBI special agent, the Edison Democrat was elected to the State Assembly in 1995 and served for 22 years in the state legislature. He served as the Assembly Majority Whip and as chairman of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee. When Barnes resigned, his seat was filled by his son, Peter Barnes II.

He would have been 90 tomorrow.

Mr. Barnes served late in his career as chairman of the Middlesex County Democratic Committee, as the organization attempted to right itself ethically in the aftermath of the Joe Spicuzzo era.

An old school former chair of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, Mr. Barnes evoked another American age, that of the federal government man in hat and trenchcoat. He served in the United States Army from 1946-1948 in the military police, and at age 25, hired on as a Special Agent for the FBI, where he served as an Assistant Senior Supervisory Agent and was responsible for investigating numerous violations of Federal Criminal Statutes.

Crusty and no-nonsense, he also had a fun sense of humor and joked about being referred to later in life as an octogenarian.

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick (R-21) served with Assemblyman Barnes on the Law and Public Safety Committee when he first arrived in the Legislature.

“Peter was a class act who served his country and our state with honor and integrity, first as an FBI special agent and then for 22 years as a legislator,” Bramnick said today. “He was a man of principle and commitment. I was a big fan of Peter. He will be missed. I extend my sincerest condolences to his family.”

“Our hearts and sympathy go out to Peter Barnes’ family for their loss. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Peter Barnes II was an environmental leader in the state legislature. He worked very hard to make New Jersey a better place.

“Peter Barnes II cared about our public safety and the environment. He was a leader in clean air, clean water, open space and cleaning up toxic sites. Peter Barnes II was also committed to protecting important ecosystems like the Dismal Swamp. The Sierra Club endorsed him in every race because he was one of our strongest allies in the state legislature.

“Peter Barnes II was a big influence on his son, Peter Barnes III, who is an environmental champion in the legislature. He was a good friend and we are sad that he has passed. When you drive around Middlesex County and see the open space, that is Peter Barnes II legacy, protecting the environment and open space.”