Statement from state Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26):

Serving the people of New Jersey in the State Senate has been one of the greatest honors of my life. It is a privilege that words alone cannot adequately convey, and one for which I will remain profoundly grateful.

As I have entered the seventh decade of my life, I have spent considerable time reflecting on the years behind me and those that lie ahead. After much thought and reflection, I have come to the decision that my service in elected office should draw to a close with the completion of my current term. Accordingly, I will not seek another term in the New Jersey State Senate.

I will, however, fulfill the commitment I have made to the people of my district and remain fully engaged in the work of the Senate until my present term concludes at noon on January 11, 2028. There is still work to be done, and I intend to see that work through to the very end. Please be assured that my staff and I will continue to serve them with the same determination, energy and commitment that has guided us throughout the years.

Over those years, I have had the privilege of serving alongside legislators from both sides of the aisle. While we have not always agreed, I have regarded my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, as friends and fellow public servants. I know firsthand the sacrifice that public service demands - the long hours, the constant responsibilities, and the precious time surrendered from our professional and personal lives in order to serve others.

As I look toward the next chapter of my life, I hope to reclaim some of that time with my family, to be closer to those I love, and to devote more time to my faith and to the good Lord who has entrusted me with so many blessings throughout my life. No reflection on my years of service would be complete without recognizing the extraordinary people who have stood beside me along the way. I am especially grateful to my district office staff, Amie and Roseann, whose more than two decades of dedicated service has been an essential part of everything our office has accomplished. The work we have done on behalf of the people of this district could never have been achieved without their loyalty, dedication, and commitment.

Public office is, at its heart, a sacred trust. I have been humbled by the confidence the people of this district have placed in me and deeply honored by the opportunity to represent them in Trenton. I leave with the decision not to seek another term with a grateful heart, knowing that I have been blessed beyond measure by the privilege of serving.

I thank my constituents, my colleagues, my friends, and especially my devoted wife Diane and my family for their support and faith throughout this journey.