Middlesex state senator endorses Brad Cohen in NJ-12

As he campaigns to replace Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) in the 12th congressional district, East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen has picked up an endorsement from his local state senator and fellow Middlesex Democrat, State Sen. Patrick Diegnan (D-South Plainfield).

Diegnan’s early endorsement is notable, given that the 12th district Democratic field is still taking shape and could grow to include other candidates who hail from the powerful Middlesex County Democratic organization – among them Diegnan’s own Senate colleague, State Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick).

“In the present political climate, it is essential that the 12th congressional district be represented by a leader who will continue Congresswoman Watson Coleman’s legacy,” Diegnan said. “Mayor Brad Cohen has proven that he is that kind of a leader.”

There are likely to be some strong geographical dimensions to the 12th district’s Democratic primary, as there were when Watson Coleman first won in a 2014 contest that pit Mercer, Somerset, and Middlesex Democrats against one another. The diverse, deep-blue district is divided across four counties, and all four counties already have at least one candidate running in next year’s primary.

Cohen is the only Middlesex County elected official running thus far, but that may not be true for long, with Zwicker and a number of other local Democrats considering campaigns. (Lesser-known contender Kyle Little, a fitness studio owner, also lives in the county.)

Diegnan himself is not a resident of the 12th district, but his Edison-based legislative district includes the 12th district towns of East Brunswick, South River, and Milltown. He’s the first sitting state legislator to weigh in on the contest, which also includes Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Trenton), Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, and Somerset County Commissioner Shanel Robinson (D-Franklin), among others.

“As a member of the state legislature I have seen Mayor Cohen’s leadership first hand,” Diegnan said. “It is no coincidence that East Brunswick is the model of an inclusive, vibrant community. Mayor Cohen works with everyone, regardless of political affiliation, to do what’s best for his residents.”