Congresswoman says she didn’t endorse Gusciora in Trenton mayoral runoff
TRENTON » Call it the Bonnie Backtrack.
U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman released a statement through reps Tuesday backing away from Assemblyman Reed Gusciora’s endorsement claim.
“I have known Reed Gusciora for many years. I served with him in the General Assembly where we fought to provide education funding for our cities and to protect families against Governor Christie’s oppressive policies,” she said. “While I certainly believe Reed would be a strong choice for mayor in the city that I love, I am compelled to clarify that I gave my word in the beginning of this process that I would leave this decision to the voters of Trenton and would not be able to offer an endorsement to any candidate.”
Watson Coleman and her representatives didn’t respond to calls about the initial endorsement story and also didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on what exactly the congresswoman’s support entails.
Gusciora didn’t immediately respond to a phone call and text Tuesday seeking a response to the congresswoman’s statement.
“It’s interesting that he’s not available now,” said 2014 runner-up Paul Perez, alluding to some of the shots the assemblyman has taken at him. “Things that come from his campaign are on the line. Maybe this is one of those flip-flopping issues he’s been pushing [about me].”
Perez has given it right back, dubbing the assemblyman “Bonnie Watson Coleman’s secretary,” in blasting the alliance.
Gusciora returned a call later in the day saying he didn’t feel the congresswoman’s words undercut his posititon, noting some of her “strongest supporters” are working with his camp.
“I know what my text messages are with her,” he said of their exchanges. “I don’t think anything has changed. She had made that statement [about not endorsing anyone] during Round 1. I’ve had conversations with her where she’s offered me advice and pointed me in directions.”
Gusciora also acknowledged Tuesday that the congresswoman would not be appearing with him at any campaign events before the June 12 runoff election. Watson Coleman has not donated to his campaign either, the assemblyman said.
If not a complete reversal, the Bonnie Backtrack was at least a sharp turn since Gusciora had stated in confirming the congresswoman’s backing that, “We’re shying away from ‘endorsements’ and saying ‘supporting.’”
Both Perez and Gusciora camps have at times liberally and interchangeably used the words “supporting” and “endorsing,” evidenced by a news release Gusciora’s camp sent out later Tuesday.
“It is what it is,” the assemblyman said about the etymological gymnastics. “I don’t know how that’s a flip-flop. What is really important is what the voters of Trenton decide.”
Gusciora, dubbed the “career politician” by his “outsider” opponent, told The Trentonian on Monday that he had also landed the support of former mayoral candidates Walker Worthy,
Duncan Harrison and Annette Lartigue. He revealed he has been going door to door at Donnelly Homes and Roger Gardens with Sen. Shirley Turner, the third member of Trenton’s Democratic triumvirate, trying to regain ground and close the more than 700-vote gap Perez established in Round 1 of Trenton’s election.
They’ll face each other in next month’s runoff.
The three former mayoral candidates gathered with assemblyman at Worthy’s campaign headquarters at 5 p.m. to officially announce their support of the longtime 15th district leader.
Gusciora’s camp also released a statement Tuesday, touting the endorsement of the Trenton Latino Merchants Association. The statement used both “support” and “endorsed.”
“Our organization needs a mayor who will lead the city with integrity, and who understands the plights of our hard-working Latino merchants,” said an unnamed LMA rep quoted by Gusciora’s camp.
Gusciora said in a statement the association was a “dynamic and growing portion of the Trenton community, and my campaign welcomes their valuable support.”