margin was larger as he defeated Christian Mastondrea by 20 points. During the 2019 budget fight, Democrats defied Governor Phil Murphy and passed a budget without his proposed millionaire's tax. Bateman was one of six Republicans to vote for the budget. On January 27, 2021, Bateman announced that he would be retiring and not run for re-election to the State Senate in 2021. Bateman is a moderate Republican. He has been known to break with his party and vote with Democrats on environmental issues, as he is a believer in climate change. In addition, in each of his elections to the state legislature, Bateman received the endorsement of New Jersey environmental activist and New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittel, one of few Republicans that he has endorsed. Tittel and the Sierra Club awarded Bateman their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. Committees Environment and Energy Judiciary Electoral history Senate Assembly References External links Senator Christoper 'Kip' Bateman's Official Site Senator Bateman's legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 Senator Christopher 'Kip' Bateman, Project Vote Smart 1957 births Living people Ithaca College alumni Mayors of places in New Jersey County commissioners in New Jersey Republican Party New Jersey state senators Republican Party members of the New Jersey General Assembly People from Branchburg, New Jersey Politicians from Somerville, New Jersey Seton Hall University School of Law alumni Somerville High School (New Jersey) alumni 21st-century American politicians