Democrat, Republican or Unaffiliated – It’s June Primaries Time!
Princeton Perspectives, Issue #63, May 15, 2025
Editor’s Note
The governor’s seat is up for grabs. Though New Jersey residents have voted majority Democrat for every Presidential candidate since 1992, put only Democratic Senators in office since 1972 and created a majority Democratic legislature since 2004, the gubernatorial race is anyone’s race. Garden State voters have chosen a Republican leader three times in the past 50 years.
That is why it is important to be informed about who the candidates are for this year’s election. With six Democrats and five Republicans vying for the governorship, there are also 80 Assembly seats up for grabs and countless county and local positions as well. This month, in the issue Democrat, Republican or Unaffiliated – It’s June Primaries Time!, we tell you everything you need to know about how and where to vote as well as who is running for office and what they stand for. Read more…
In This Issue
- Pulse of Princeton: What issue is driving you to vote in the Primary Election?
- Your Vote on Primary Day Can Impact the Races for District 16 and the State
- Get to Know the Candidates for Governor Before You Vote
- A Democrat’s Perspective: Considerations as Primary Day Approaches
- A Republican’s Perspective: Considerations as Primary Day Approaches
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The Pulse of Princeton: What issue is driving you to vote in the Primary Election?
- Your Vote on Primary Day Can Impact the Races for District 16 and the State - On Tuesday, June 10th, most New Jerseyans are invited to the polls to cast their votes in the primary election. Yes, you read that right – Despite what most believe, Primary Day… Read more...
- Get to Know the Candidates for Governor Before You Vote - New Jersey is one of two states in the nation that holds its election for governor the year after a Presidential election. And in 2025, after two terms leading the Garden State,… Read more...
- A Democrat’s Perspective: Considerations as Primary Day Approaches - For political drama, it’s hard to beat the Canadian election. The Liberal Party, declared dead only months ago, roared to life, erasing a double-digit polling deficit to defeat the Conservatives and retain… Read more...
- A Republican’s Perspective: Considerations as Primary Day Approaches - As we approach the June 10 primary election, there are many important issues to consider. This Primary represents a crucial opportunity for us to come together and choose leaders who will stand… Read more...
Perspectives Revisited
Will NJ Transit trains be running from Princeton Junction on Friday? NJ Transit management and the train’s engineers have seen contract negotiations stall, prompting fears of a full suspension of rail service. In July, we wrote about the delays and shutdowns caused by the Northeast Corridor’s old infrastructure in the article The Impact of Old Train Lines on Today’s Commuters and now a full intentional shutdown is looming. Riders are wondering how they will commute to work, should the two parties not come to agreement on salaries by 12:01am on May 16th. Though the engineers have been working without a contract since 2019, management says their pay hike requests are not achievable. They met with mediators in Washington DC on Monday to try and work out a deal. There is hope, if nothing else, Federal legislation in the form of a tentative contract could avert a strike. Should one ensue, NJ Transit has two options for Princeton-area commuters. The first, is strong encouragement that anyone that can work from home, do so. If that is not an option, beginning May 19th, a regional Park & Ride will be set up weekdays from 5am-9am outbound and 3pm-7pm inbound operating from/to Hamilton Rail Station. All valid rail passes will be cross-honored on these buses, which will provide service to Newark Penn Station for transfer to PATH trains.
With a big tent and bigger acts, Princeton Festival brings days of music to our historic town. We shared about this performing arts extravaganza in the article Finding Joy and Comfort in Local Musical Opportunities (June 2022) and now the area is anxiously awaiting Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 Princeton Festival. Running from June 6-21, music-goers will be treated to a variety of genres from Broadway to baroque, opera to Motown. The two-week festival, held on the grounds of Morven (with some exceptions inside Trinity Church) will open with a concert featuring music of gold and platinum-selling pop stars and will close with the sounds of Abba. In between, one can enjoy the symphony with vocals by soprano Renee Fleming, Broadway star Melissa Errico, and movement with the American Repertory Ballet. The complete performance line-up can be found here.