FLORHAM PARK – Joe Pennacchio has been politically active for more than 30 years now.

In that time, he has been a candidate for Congress, for the U.S. Senate, a county freeholder and since 2001, a state legislator from the mostly Morris County 26th District.

All has not always been smooth.

Just last year, Pennacchio withstood a primary challenge to his Senate seat from Tom Mastrangelo, a county commissioner. As they often do, things got a bit crazy.

How crazy?

Well, at one point, Pennacchio was criticized for spending campaign money on meals – at McDonald’s. Really.

On Tuesday evening, however, Pennacchio was nowhere near a fastfood joint.

Instead, he hosted what he termed a very successful fundraiser at the Park Savoy, a posh banquet hall.

The senator spoke not so much about statewide politics, but about some of the people and families he’s been able to help over the years.

It was a nice touch.

More broadly, he talked about helping to get a new medical education facility constructed at County College of Morris.

As many in the crowd relocated to the back patio for cigars, Pennacchio was asked about his long career.

“It’s a very simple and trite answer,” he said. “I like helping people.”

Pennacchio, a retired dentist, added, “I don’t think I have 10,000 accomplishments, but I’m proud of the ones I have.”

The next Senate election is not until 2027 and you get the impression Pennacchio will be staying around.