Crowded field about to get more crowded
A list of potential mayoral candidates expanded to eight last week.
This week it’s likely nine as Councilman at large Duncan Harrison appears ready for a run since Mayor Eric Jackson announced his decision not to seek a second term.
The crowded mayoral field includes Alex Bethea, Reed Gusciora, Elissa Horan, Annette Lartigue, Paul Perez, Darren Green, Michael Silvestri and Walker Worthy.
Forget tea leaves as developing a sense of City of Trenton government requires a historical knowledge of past political players.
Case in point, if Bill Watson, a former confidant to five-term Mayor Douglas H. Palmer, sits in a press conference regarding a Jackson retirement, then mental machinery should take note.
Apparently, Watson, who knows the political game inside and backward, stokes the flames for a Harrison candidacy. Harrison, a young, thirty-something first termer, may not seem ready for a mayoral job although entering the fray could deliver valuable experience regarding debates and bright lights.
Jackson’s departure upset the city’s political landscape as most challengers were prepared to deliver criticism about numerous missteps and failures.
A nine-candidate field would produce problems about mayoral debates. Should all candidates receive an opportunity to express their vision and platform? One should note that acquiring a registration form does not equate to the collection of enough signatures to gain a ballot spot.
Mayoral and at large council candidates must collect 390 confirmed signatures.
The May 8, 2018 mayoral election will not deliver an outright winner as no candidate seems likely to attract 50 percent plus one of Election day voters.
Candidates in the mayoral race know that second-place offers another opportunity to build a coalition with failed candidates and their supporters before a June run-off showdown.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Reach him at laparker@trentonian.com.