A lot of change expected in Trenton general election
Expect an announcement from Trenton Councilman-at-large Duncan Harrison regarding his intent to run for mayor, a decision that will deliver flux for city government. A Harrison insider who said he had no authority to speak publicly about the city councilman, confirmed Harrison’s intent to seek a candidacy to replace first-term Mayor Eric Jackson who declined a reelection attempt.
With Councilman atlarge Alex Bethea already in the race, Harrison’s entry would leave two city council vacancies with potential for a third.
East Ward Councilwoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson could exit should Democrats appoint her to fill the empty chair in the state’s 15th Legislative District, a vacancy that occurred when Gov. Phil Murphy named Assemblywoman Liz Muoio (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) state treasurer.
Muoio had obtained the seat when her predecessor, Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D-NJ 12th District), moved to Washington, D.C. as a House of Representatives member.
Mercer County Freeholder Anthony Verrelli of Hopewell Township and West Windsor Councilwoman Ayesha Krishnan Hamilton have officially announced as candidates for Muoio’s seat although Reynolds-Jackson, the Mercer County Democratic Committee chair, ranks allegedly as a frontrunner.
A previous Trentonian report noted that whoever wins the appointment will serve as an unelected state lawmaker for several months. A special election would then be held in November, and the appointed Democrat is expected to run and face a Republican challenger in that election. The Nov. 6 special election winner will serve for the remainder of Muoio’s twoyear term.
The 15th Legislative District comprises the Mercer County municipalities of Ewing, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, Lawrence Township, Pennington, Trenton, West Windsor and the Hunterdon County municipalities of East Amwell, West Amwell and Lambertville.
Democrats make their Muoio replacement decision on Saturday, Feb. 10 when a convention convenes.
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The city council carnage could continue should Councilwoman at-large Phyllis Holly-Ward step away. The two-term council member has filed an ELEC report and HollyWard sounded lukewarm about another term during a phone discussion.
Holly-Ward leaving would mean only incumbents South Ward Councilman George Muschal, West Ward Councilman Zachary Chester and North Ward Councilwoman Marge CaldwellWilson seeking reelection.
All three council at-large seats could be vacant with a current list of candidates Rachel Cogsville, Lee Ingram, Dwayne Farrior, Elvin Montero, Santiago Rodriguez, Nathaniel McCray and Sherwood Brown potential replacements.
Four potential new city council members warrants involvement by the state Department of Community Affairs to offer a crash course on government for newcomers.
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Paul Perez, a 2014 mayoral runoff loser to Mayor Eric Jackson, is the first candidate to receive certification by Trenton City Clerk Dwayne Harris.
Harris handed Perez a “Receipt of Petitions Received” which confirms his ballot spot in the Tuesday, May 8, 2018 general election. Perez submitted more than the required 390 signatures necessary for a mayoral candidacy.
“We are putting Trenton and its many peoples first; we need to show that in our bid to assume the municipal reins and we will win the public’s trust regarding our leadership and efficiency,” Perez offered in an emailed statement.
Seven other mayoral candidates have requested a candidate registration form.
Candidates face a petition filing deadline of March 5, 2018.