The Trentonian (Trenton, NJ)

Paul Perez mayor announceme­nt shocks no one

- L.A. Parker Columnist L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist.

Hmmmm.

Wonder what Paul Perez intends to discuss tonight during a 6 p.m. event inside a St. Mary Cathedral gymnasium.

Nothing like calculated spontaneit­y to buzz kill a political announceme­nt. Perez did not extend an invitation for people to join him, leave the comfort of their couches for a brisk walk into the brisk night, to say he’s not running.

Observing this Perez political strip tease has left nothing to the imaginatio­n as everyone knows this script.

Perez will add his name to the small list of mayoral candidates which includes Councilman Alex Bethea.

This is not that fateful night when Geraldo Rivera opened up Al Capone’s vault and found nothing.

Perez faces no Lady or Tiger moment. This is easy peasy political theater with just one ending. Perez, in the Cathedral gymnasium, as a mayoral candidate.

The only suspense remaining for Perez involves who may accompany him tonight. Perez needs a slate, inroads to black voting blocks and he gets there by aligning with other political figures.

Perez ran an inexperien­ced but competitiv­e campaign during his first political foray but he can enhance his chances for victory by constructi­ng a diverse slate of running mates for city council seats.

Incumbent Mayor Eric Jackson will announce his reelection plans during the first week of December.

Darren “Freedom” Green, a well-versed community activist, holds the political suspense card.

Green could wait out all challenger­s and deliver a coming out campaign that attracts disconnect­ed voters.

Approximat­ely 38,000 registered voters exist in Trenton although just 11,000 participat­ed in the June 2014 runoff election.

This Perez political campaign started in June 2014 with a political defeat.

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 ?? L.A. PARKER — THE TRENTONIAN ?? Paul Perez fended off inquiries about his mayoral intentions Saturday but showed a North Broad St. property he purchased and renovated.
L.A. PARKER — THE TRENTONIAN Paul Perez fended off inquiries about his mayoral intentions Saturday but showed a North Broad St. property he purchased and renovated.
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