Dismantling Dem stronghold on Mercer politics requires change agendas or huge scandal
Black sheep generally references someone disconnected from a family or group, an outcast, persona non grata, etc.
In Mercer County, black sheep references African-American, Latino and Caucasian voters who plunk down their votes for the same old political shape shifters, in this case, lame Democrats. Despite decades of stalled agendas and stale policies, Democrats rule. Mercer County lists bluer than both bayou and Danube.
Johann Strauss or The New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra, please. Let’s waltz.
First, some honesty. If Mercer County Republicans have any chance of dismantling the Big Blue Democratic Machine then they must wait until President Donald Trump leaves office. His sound and furious approach to any life or line item galvanizes Democrats. Yes, Trump gets out the vote for Republicans but his antics churn out the opposition.
Even after Trump departs by impeachment (oh, no, please resist this temptation of insanity), via a 2020 presidential election defeat, or the completion of his second term, Republicans need a change of message — not the blind blubbering manifesto offered by Hamilton Twp. Mayor Kelly Yaede on that dreadful night in 2016 when she rallied for Trump in Lawrence Twp.
Yaede embraced Trump and America’s deplorable past “Make America Hate Again” policies that support racial division and myopic nationalism that cultivates us against them politics around the world and even in local communities.
Trump lost in all 12 Mercer County municipalities as Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton overwhelmed Trump by a 104,775 to 46,193 vote advantage. Locally, in 2015, Democrat County Executive Brian Hughes gained 33,617 votes, doubling his Republican challenger Lisa Richford’s 16,433.
King Hughes has been in office for four consecutive terms as Democrats rule county operations. Mercer County and Trenton enjoyed its best relationship when Bob Prunetti served as county executive and Douglas H. Palmer held the city mayor’s chair as they delivered several successful projects.
Republicans need an inclusive message, one that promises county support to improve employment opportunities for city residents, Trenton residents should have jobs on the numerous development and redevelopment projects currently underway in the capital city.
Power to the party that brokers a deal with trade unions to produce an apprenticeship program that offers minorities and women opportunities to join those ranks. Until now, Democrats have failed their sheep who just show up and vote a straight ticket.
Power to the party that enacts real education initiatives that succeed. Power to the party that puts police on the streets. Power to the people who fight for LGBTQ rights. Power to the party that adopts policies that break the cycle of poverty and who understand addiction. Power to the party and people who implement actions that save our environment and planet.
Or, you could just wait around until a toptiered Democrat gets indicted for corruption or found inside a local hotel room with a live boy or dead girl.
Actually, even that may not be enough to dismantle the Democratic stranglehold on Mercer County politics.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.