 He was elected to the New Jersey Senate in 1977, taking the seat of Anne Clark Martindell, a Democrat who resigned to serve in a series of positions in the Carter administration including United States Ambassador to New Zealand.He won a special election to fill the remainder of Martindell's term as well as the general election for a full four-year term in the 14th legislative district.After redistricting, he was re-elected to the Senate in 1981 and 1983 representing the 23rd district.