Senator Kip Bateman Will Not Seek Re-Election

DISTRICT 16, NJ — Republican Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman will not seek reelection after serving for the past 38 years.

"After careful consideration and with the support of my family, I have made the difficult decision not to seek reelection to the State Senate. As a lifelong resident of Somerset County, it has been an honor to spend nearly 40 years serving the community I am proud to call home," said Bateman. "I can't begin to express how much I will miss serving our constituents. However, our state is still coping with a pandemic and I am committed to using my remaining time in office to help the countless residents who are in desperate need of our support."

Bateman, the former Mayor of Branchburg, will serve out the remainder of his term ending in January 2022.

Bateman represents the 16th legislative district which includes Branchburg, Hillsborough, Manville, Millstone, Montgomery, Rocky Hill, and Somerville in Somerset County along with parts of Hunterdon, Mercer and Middlesex counties.

Bateman was elected in 1994 to the New Jersey General Assembly, where he served seven consecutive terms, ending in 2007.

He began serving in the New Jersey State Senate in 2008, where he currently serves as Deputy Whip on the Senate Republican Leadership team. Bateman also currently serves on the State Senate Environment and Energy, Judiciary and Education Committees.

During his tenure, Bateman has sponsored legislation including the creation of a long-term funding source for open space and farmland preservation, pushed for historical preservation efforts, and worked to safeguard clean air and clean water for future New Jersey residents.

Bateman's other legislative achievements include reducing the cost of auto insurance premiums for policyholders, a grant program to provide thermal imaging cameras to fire departments statewide, and bipartisan protections to strengthen crime victims' rights.

He will also continue to fight to see that his pending bipartisan legislation, "Timothy J. Piazza’s Law" (S-84) which would increase penalties for hazing on New Jersey’s college campuses, becomes law.

"I have always believed that government works best when we put people before politics. Good legislators should strive to be good listeners, follow their conscience and vote with the voices of the people they serve in mind. It is my hope that bipartisanship will continue to thrive in the halls of the New Jersey Statehouse long after I cast my final vote in the Senate chamber," said Bateman. "I am beyond grateful to have had the privilege to work with so many passionate legislators and advocates on both sides of the aisle over the years. I would also like to thank my wonderful family, friends, and staff for all of their support and hard work."

After leaving office, Bateman, who just welcomed his first grandchild, said he looks forward to spending more time with his family and will continue to be active in community service and at the law firm where he serves as a partner.

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