BY MELISSA CIFELLI
Staff Writer
Michael Paquette South Brunswick Police Chief Michael Paquette will toss his hat into the political arena in a bid for a state Assembly seat following his retirement.
“I really didn’t see myself leaving the public sector,” Paquette said.
Paquette said his decision to run was an ongoing process that was made with the support of his family.
Paquette announced his decision to run last week. He will join incumbent Republican Assemblyman Bill Baroni on a ticket for the 14th Legislative District.
“The Assembly is in desperate need of people like Mike Paquette,” Baroni said.
Baroni said he chose Paquette as a running mate because he wanted a partner who was committed to public service and shared similar views on ethics reform, property tax relief, and opposition to Route 92, a proposed connector route between Route 1 and the New Jersey Turnpike.
Baroni said Paquette’s career as a police officer and chief is an example of good public service.
“It’s an honor,” Paquette said of the opportunity to run with Baroni.
Paquette called his decision to run for an elected office a natural progression in public service. Here, he can still work to give back to the community, he said.
Paquette said he is looking forward to helping the residents of central New Jersey and the 14th District, and will make property taxes his top priority if elected.
“We have to come up with a way that relieves taxpayers,” Paquette said.
Though difficult, Paquette said, making taxes affordable for residents is an attainable goal with bipartisan support.
Paquette will retire as chief of the South Brunswick Police Department at the end of March, a position he has held for 10 years.
Paquette joined the South Brunswick Police Department in 1978. He served under the U.S. Justice Department in 1994 as a police adviser in Somalia, and also trained international police monitors in Haiti.
Paquette is also credited with bringing the philosophy of community policing to the forefront of the department.
Paquette and Baroni will run against Assistant Majority Leader Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein and Hamilton Councilman Dan Benson, both Democrats.
The 14th District comprises Cranbury, Hamilton, Jamesburg, Monroe, Plainsboro, West Windsor and South Brunswick.
Paquette must be nominated by the Middlesex County and Mercer County Republicans to make his candidacy official. Baroni said he does not anticipate any opposition to Paquette’s run.
According to Baroni, Paquette has already received a Republican screening committee’s support, as well as support from state Sen. Peter Inverso.