Registered to Vote? Now Learn Who is Running for Every Seat.

At the last Presidential General Election, November 3,  2020, there were 21,631 people in Princeton registered to vote. Back then, during the height of the COVID pandemic, where 95% of votes were cast by mail, 14,338, or 66% of those eligible, cast their vote. In 2016, only 56% of eligible voters turned out, with 10,817 Princeton voters weighing in.

This year, with the Presidential race on the line along with candidates for Senate, House of Representatives, Board of County Commissioners, Princeton Mayor, Council and Board of Education on the ballot, how many will take part in this inalienable right?

Princeton Perspectives helps you to do so by once again providing you all you need to know about how and where to vote along with details about every major party candidate you will find on your ballot.

The deadline to register to vote was yesterday, October 15^th, so if you missed it, you would have to sit this year out. The important deadline to take note of now is November 5^th, the final date to cast your vote.

VOTING METHODS

Throughout Mercer County, new voting machines were implemented for Early Voting in 2023, and they will be used for all in-person voting this year. Voting can be done in three ways in New Jersey: Vote by Mail, Early Voting and Election Day. The government has worked to make voting easy and accessible, but planning is key.

If you registered to vote, but did not complete your application to Vote by Mail, you can access it here. This application will provide that the mail-in ballot is sent you, which then must be filled out and returned by 8 pm on Election Day, November 5^th, to any Drop Box (in Princeton you’ll find them at the Princeton Municipal Building on Witherspoon St. and the Princeton University Wawa/Dinky Station on Alexander St.), mailed back (postage pre-paid and postmarked by Nov 5^th) or returned in person to the Mercer County Board of Elections.

If you plan to take part in Early Voting, there are seven locations throughout Mercer County that can be utilized by all voters, regardless of your voting district, between October 26^th and November 3^rd, Wednesday – Saturday: 10am to 8pm, Sunday: 10am to 6pm. In Princeton, the Early Voting will be held at the Princeton Municipal Building Community Room, 400 Witherspoon Street.

If Voting on Election Day is your desire, polls will be open from 6am to 8pm on Tuesday November 5^th. Your polling location will be printed on the front of the sample ballot mailed to your home.

THE CANDIDATES

To educate yourself about the candidates and help to make an informed decision, Princeton Perspectives reached out to every major party candidate you will see on your ballot. You can read through by office, to gain insight and understanding about past experiences, viewpoints, and priority issues for each. Should you desire, at the top right of this article, we have a jump menu that allows you to go directly to a specific elected position and those candidates. Because we are a hyperlocal publication, we are presenting the offices that will only serve New Jersey, from bottom to top of the ballot order, with each candidate listed in straight ballot order.

PRINCETON’S POLITICAL CANDIDATES

PRINCETON COUNCIL CANDIDATES: Leighton Newlin (D) and Brian McDonald (D)

This year, two seats are opening on Council and there are two Democratic candidates vying for them. One is the incumbent, running for re-election, and the other is new to this office. The position is for a three-year term. As the races are uncontested, no minimum vote is required to get elected.

LEIGHTON NEWLIN (D) is running for his second term on Council, citing there is still much more work to be done and he wakes up each day inspired to represent.

“Leadership should reflect our values and diversity, and I take that responsibility seriously,” says Newlin. “Throughout my first term, we’ve made strides in building a comprehensive infrastructure of care – enhancing affordability, human and social services, transportation, public safety, and the arts. But for me, it’s not about individual achievements; it’s about being local, not being hard to find, and understanding the everyday impact of our decisions on people’s lives.”

In a second term, Newlin hopes to work to rebuild Princeton’s public housing, take a closer look at the impact of absentee landlords, affordable housing, mobility and focus on promoting and supporting DEI initiatives through programming.

“I thrive on being a good neighbor, staying engaged, and meeting people where they are. I don’t take this role lightly—I’m here to listen, advocate, and act. I’m only getting started, and I’m excited to continue this journey for our community. Together, there’s so much more we can accomplish!” he adds.

Brian McDonald (D) is seeking to join Council, filling the seat being vacated by three-term Councilwoman Eve Niedergang. As he completes his sixth year on the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education (PPS BOE), he feels his 25 years of service to the Princeton area make him the right man for this job.

“I’m very familiar with Princeton and have demonstrated a high level of commitment to my community. I believe that my skill set and my work experience, including my first career as a municipal finance professional, make me well suited to serve as a member of Princeton Council. I work hard, believe in data-driven decision making when possible, and am open, honest, caring and compassionate,” McDonald shares.

McDonald, who was approached by several local leaders to pursue this opportunity when Niedergang announced she would not seek re-election, felt like it was the right next step after his experiences, not just on PPS BOE but also on other local boards including McCarter Theater, The Watershed Institute and Sustainable Princeton. McDonald also feels 11 years as a Princeton Little League coach coupled with seven years as part of the Citizen’s Finance Advisory Committee make him a strong candidate, prepared to take on what he describes as his top priorities, if elected.

“First, to consistently deliver excellent municipal services as efficiently as possible to keep tax increases as low as possible. Second, as our community grows, to ensure that the growth is smart, strategic, and carefully managed. Third, to work for ALL residents with a special focus on the needs of our most vulnerable residents, including children, senior citizens and members of the community who experience food, housing and financial insecurity,” explains McDonald. “I have a personal passion for sustainability and that will also be a major area of focus for me.”

PRINCETON MAYORAL CANDIDATE: Mark Freda (D)

This year, the incumbent is running unopposed for re-election to another four-year term.

Mark Freda (D) is looking to continue as Princeton’s Mayor, offering what he describes as invested and effective leadership. He says there are four main reasons that he has chosen to run again.

“One, I believe I bring significant leadership and experience to the role of the mayor. Two, I believe I make a difference being in the role of mayor. Three, I am motivated to do what I can to help our town; there is no personal agenda or need to take credit for what we accomplish. I want to move us ahead and get things done. Four, I enjoy the work. It is a lot of work and a lot of time. But having lived here my entire life, it is good work and worth the time and effort.”

Freda feels, working with Council, staff and the public, his administration has achieved a great deal in the past four years including involving more people in the financial processes therefore creating more open and robust reviews of operating and capital budgets. While many politicians preach transparency, Freda believes he and his colleagues have worked hard towards this goal. Part of this includes efforts to show up, engage with and respond to all constituents throughout his term. Freda feels there is still a lot to be done through another term.

“There is a demand and a need for housing that is affordable. Not just mandated affordable housing, but that next level of housing. It is now one of our goals; but we need to find ways to address this. Two, density, where does it make sense? How much makes sense? More public discussion on this is needed. Three, transportation, can we come up with a well thought out and functioning public transportation system?” Freda mentions, amongst many other important initiatives.

MERCER COUNTY CANDIDATES

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES: Samuel Frisby (D), Andrew Curcio (R), Kristin McLaughlin (D), Pedro Reyes (R), Terrance Stokes (D), and Denise “Neicy” Turner (R)

29% of your property tax bill goes to the county. This year there are six candidates (three of which are incumbents) running to fill three open seats on the legislative branch of county government, the Board of County Commissioners.

Samuel Frisby (D) is running to retain his seat as a County Commissioner after two terms in office. He says he most proud of the way his board fought for and helped the community throughout the pandemic. He also highlights his work to diversify Mercer County’s vendors through the creation of the Mercer County Set-Aside program ordinance, which expands opportunities for businesses owned by veterans, women, LGBTQ and minorities to contract with the county.

Frisby says he loves listening to constituents and working to create an administration that can meet their needs.

“There are several projects that I have strongly supported which I would like to see through to completion, such as, the completion of the county airport expansion, which will be a foundational hub for economic growth in our county.  The airport redevelopment project will be the largest upgrade in over a generation to the Trenton-Mercer Airport, this transformative process is vital to increasing our competitive standing. The largest responsibility of a County Commissioner lies in the fidelity of our County’s fiduciary responsibilities to the budget, for our citizens. I remain committed to ensuring our county recovers from the previous administration’s financial mismanagement that left us with 11 million dollars of deferred charges,” Frisby states.

If re-elected, Frisby looks forward to continuing his work under the new leadership of Dan Benson, appreciating the levels of transparency and vision he says are now in place.

Andrew Curcio (R) is vying to become a County Commissioner because he wants to be a voice for the people. Growing up in poverty in Trenton, to an alcoholic father, Curcio says he knows what it’s like to struggle.

“I’ve been there. I’m here for them. I am their voice. I will go to Congress for them. I will go to the Statehouse for them. There is a way for us to help the school and property taxes, we can lower them,” he says.

With a 20-year history as a State worker, Curcio knows what it’s like to work hard and live on a tight budget. He’s been a grounds worker, bought goods for the state, handled inventory for the armories and is now working with the vehicles for the Department of Corrections. Curcio, along with his fellow Republican candidates, pledges to take a 10% pay cut (from the $39,000 salary) and to refuse health benefits. He says this could save taxpayers more than $103,000 annually, per commissioner. Money that he promises to put towards the budget and hopes will give people the break they need.

“As a Republican, we can make a difference. I will listen to people. I will fight for the people,” Curcio explains. “I see fire departments and police departments merging – they’re not using the money for the community. It’s going into people’s pockets. They are giving people promotions – part time people are making 6-figure salaries. I don’t make that! It’s the time to give back to the people.”

Kristin McLaughlin (D) says there are two simple reasons that she is hoping to retain her seat for a second term as County Commissioner.

“One, I enjoy working with our residents, business owners, NGO’s, clergy, kids, and the people who are elected to represent them to help solve challenges and grow opportunities in Mercer County so people can build their lives and pursue their goals here. Two, as a County Commissioner, my work is simply not done yet. With the previous administration, I was focused on promoting transparency and making sure the public knew about the ongoing issues that were quietly and constantly being swept under the rug. With the new administration there is a shared commitment to transparency which now allows me to focus on other goals.”

McLaughlin says under the Benson administration she looks forward to implementing the Mercer County Master Plan, which includes plans for preserving more open space to create more room for recreation, which she has long sought out. She also hopes to better enlighten the community about all the county is responsible for, such as recycling, providing transportation for those who need, running the CURE Insurance Arena and Trenton Thunder Ballpark, offering a community college, technical schools and more.

“One additional area of focus for me is economic development, “McLaughlin notes. “Mercer County is ready for business, with firms of all sizes. The Commissioner Board passed and regularly champions our set-aside program which ensures that a portion of county dollars are spent on minority owned, veteran owned, and women owned businesses. I am very interested in working with County Executive Benson to foster growth that reaches all corners of the county.”

As a member the legislative branch of county government, McLaughlin and her fellow commissioners oversee and adopt the budget. She says she feels the new administration better supports their goals and hopes to continue working in partnership for the residents of Mercer County.

Pedro Reyes (R), an executive in the manufacturing industry, is running for County Commissioner to give back to the country that has given him so much. An immigrant from Dominican Republic, Reyes came as a child and grew up with the belief that hard work can lead to better things. He says change and effective leadership, fiscal responsibility and transparency is what Mercer County needs.

“The current commissioners have been in their roles long enough to allow severe financial mismanagement to take root, resulting in $4.5 million in fines and interest levied by the state comptroller’s office. This gross mismanagement has contributed to unnecessary property tax increases in the 2024 budget, further burdening our residents,” he explains.

For his part, Reyes and his fellow Republican candidates say they’ll start trimming spending on day one by not taking County benefits, proposing a 10% pay cut in Commissioner salaries and putting a freeze on those salaries. He says they also want to put forth term limits for this role, to prevent another cycle of years of trouble before someone is willing to speak up.

“It’s about putting politics aside and tackling the significant issues facing Mercer County. When there is no balance in government, situations like our current financial crisis arise,” Reyes states. “We need to restore balance, and that means holding leadership accountable, whether they’re Republican, Democrat, or Independent. Our focus is on fiscal responsibility, efficient spending, and eliminating the waste that have contributed to our financial problems. It’s time to stop the waste and start solving the issues.”

Terrance Stokes (D) also feels there is more work to be done, should he get re-elected to serve a 2^nd term as County Commissioner.

“I am seeking re-election as a County Commissioner to continue being a voice for marginalized and underrepresented communities. I want to continue advocating for increasing the representation of small, minority, women and Black-owned businesses in awarding county contracts. I want to continue moving the airport project forward. I want to continue advocating for and implementing sustainable environmental policies.”

Over the past term, Stokes says he was a supporter of preservation and open space, something he seeks to continue. His past experiences set him up with other future goals as well.

“I will continue to support investments in roadway and infrastructure improvements as well as working closely with our municipalities to ensure that county government meets their needs and is being equitable in the distribution of resources.  Lastly, I want to work on positioning the CURE Insurance Arena as a revenue generating facility,” Stokes shares.

Denise “Neicy” Turner (R) is seeking the seat of County Commissioner, hoping to apply her real-world experience of fiscal responsibility and service to fellow citizens. As Owner and Director of Trenton’s Green Acres Day Care for 17 years and simultaneously working as a Medical Security Officer at the Ann Klein Forensic Center in Ewing, she has gained perceptive insights.

“When opportunity knocked to run for elected office, I was honored to answer,” said Turner. “My private-sector experience makes me an excellent candidate for Mercer County Commissioner. But more importantly, it will enable me, if elected, to ably serve on behalf of all citizens of Mercer County who rely on the Board of Mercer County Commissioners for astute judgment in key areas including the county budget and county contracts.”

Turner was born in Neptune City, NJ and has lived in Trenton for the past 25 years. A graduate of Trenton Central High School, the mother and grandmother is an active member of Greater Harvest World Wide Ministries, a Baptist church located in Trenton.

“I am proud to be part of this team of Republican candidates. We’re all working hard to share the Republican position on key issues with as many potential voters as possible on the campaign trail,” Turner adds.

NATIONAL CANDIDATES

DISTRICT 12 CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES: Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) and Darius Mayfield (R)

This year, the 12^th Congressional District has four candidates on the ballot. Running for a 2-year term, the incumbent Democrat and Republican contender are listed alongside two candidates nominated by petition. We will highlight the major party candidates here.

Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) is running for her sixth term as U.S. Representative for the 12^th Congressional District.

Through the years she has focused efforts on criminal justice reform, job creation and an improved economy, healthcare issues with a strong focus on those for women, worked to reform the gas pipeline approval process and more. She is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

According to her latest newsletter, Watson Coleman’s efforts over the past month have included highlighting and addressing the impacts mental health and suicide have on Black youth, co-leading efforts against Black girls being treated differently than their white peers in school, introducing a bill that would help to push for studies linking uterine cancer to hair straighteners and was working to avert a government shutdown.

Darius Mayfield (R) is running for a second time to unseat the incumbent.

“In 2022, despite becoming the first county (Mercer County) in American history to have every single Dominion Voting Machine turned off on the day of election, we still brought Bonnie Watson Coleman down to her lowest numbers ever in her 30+ year political career. That in itself warranted another run,” Mayfield shares.

Mayfield says his love of all people has been proven through the way he talks and acts with others as well as in his policy. With a background in sales and executive management, he feels he has the experience needed to negotiate for what District 12 needs most. Mayfield believes his rise from a childhood in Section 8 housing to a life of successful business and philanthropy make him the ideal candidate to lead our country to change.

“What makes the landscape different this year is the historical failure of the Biden/Harris Administration and the clear distinction between their administration failures and the tangible successes of the Trump Administration. Because of this, I believe we are about to witness a Reagan-esque type victory on November 5th, which will ultimately propel quality candidates like me.”

U.S. SENATE (NJ): Andy Kim (D) and Curtis Bashaw (R)

Senator Bob Menendez had been a Senator for New Jersey since 2006. His seat became vacant in August, when he resigned amid convictions for his involvement in a bribery scheme. Governor Phil Murphy then appointed his former Chief of Staff, George Helmy, to fill the vacant seat. Helmy is not running to retain the seat, so it is open for a 6-year term. Two Senate newcomers are vying to win it.

Andy Kim (D) is completing his third term as U.S. Representative for the Third Congressional District, which includes East Windsor, Hamilton, Hightstown, Lawrence and Robbinsville as well as parts of Burlington and Monmouth Counties. While he wants to become New Jersey’s next Senator, becoming a politician wasn’t what he set out to do.

“Before I ran for office, I worked in diplomacy under both Republicans and Democrats, in war zones abroad and here at home. But when my hometown congressman made it clear that he was leading the charge with then-President Donald Trump to strip away the Affordable Care Act which would have impacted my family and so many others in New Jersey, I knew I needed to step up to give voters a choice,” Kim recalls. “Our grassroots movement has continued to grow, helping us win the Primary in June while creating a massive coalition of voters from across the state who are ready for change.”

Kim was running against Sen. Menendez, who backed out in March after being indicted on 16 counts related to a bribery scheme. Kim then beat out Governor Murphy’s wife, Tammy, for the Democratic ticket. As a Senator, he says he hopes to turn the seat back into one of honor and integrity.

“I decided to step up and run for this Senate seat, challenging a member of my own party, because I wanted to offer a new vision of what was possible in regard to New Jersey politics,” explains Kim. “I’ve represented my hometown in Congress since 2019, and I’ve done so by putting service and people first. I’ve held a town hall every month since being sworn-in, and that’s let me directly hear from people about their priorities and what they want to see from me. I’ve worked from my first month to address corruption issues – working to fight big money in politics, writing a bill that would prevent members of Congress from trading individual stocks and getting rich off their positions, and working to hold every part of our federal government more accountable to the people.”

Curtis Bashaw (R) is a political outsider vying for the Senate seat. A married gay man who is pro-choice, Bashaw went from being a bellhop and waiter to hotel entrepreneur as Founder and Managing Partner of Cape Resorts. He feels now is the time that Independents, Republicans, and Democrats want something different.

“In a year when corrupt U.S. Senator Bob Menendez has dominated the headlines, New Jersey voters are fed up with career politicians, chaos at the border, and out of control inflation. They don’t want another typical Democrat DC insider, like Rep. Andy Kim, who votes with his party 99% of the time,” Bashaw states.

Bashaw has chosen to run for Senate because he believes the founding fathers intended for citizen leaders to step up and serve.

“Curtis has a proven track record as a business leader and job creator who can bring different interests and parties together to get things done for the greater good. He did that with the restoration of Congress Hall and other historic properties in Cape May, which led to a revitalization of the area’s tourism economy. And he will deliver the same results for New Jersey,” explains a Bashaw spokesperson.

OTHER POLITICAL RACES

Since the race for President of the United States is widely covered across national press, we will leave it to the other media to shine light on that race.

We do, also, recognize there is a major race for Princeton Public Schools Board of Education. In Princeton, this is a non-partisan position, so we have dedicated another article to share everything you need to know. Click here to read all about the candidates and their positions.