Diegnan was selected by local Democratic committee members to receive appointment to the 18th District's Senate seat on May 5, 2016, after previous seat holder
Peter J. Barnes III was appointed to a judgeship on the
New Jersey Superior Court. Sworn into office on May 9, Diegnan won election to the remainder of the term in November, defeating retired judge and former
Middlesex County Freeholder Roger W. Daley.
Committees Committee assignments for the
2024—2025 Legislative Session are: • Transportation (as chair) • Budget and Appropriations
District 18 Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the
New Jersey Senate and two members in the
New Jersey General Assembly. The representatives from the 18th District for the
2024—2025 Legislative Session are: • Senator Patrick J. Diegnan (D) • Assemblyman
Robert Karabinchak (D) • Assemblyman
Sterley Stanley (D)
Legislative accomplishments Diegnan was the primary sponsor of Assembly Bill 3331, introduced in 2003, which creates the certification of Technology Education for teachers. In 2011, he was the primary sponsor of Assembly Bill 3852, which requires voter approval at the annual school election or by the board of school estimate before a new charter school can be authorized to operate in a district. Under the existing system, the Commissioner of the
New Jersey Department of Education can grant charters regardless of community opinion, with Diegnan noting that allowing voters and local boards of education a say in the granting of new schools would "help ensure that the charter schools that are created fit the needs of the community". The bill passed in the Assembly in June 2011 by a 47-17 margin. == Electoral history ==