By Donald Gilpin

Tuesday, June 3 marked the start of early voting leading up to Primary Election Day next Tuesday, June 10. With six candidates in the Democratic gubernatorial primary and five candidates in the race for the Republican nomination for governor, the competition is fierce.

Michelle Pirone Lambros and Mia Sacks, who are both running unopposed for the Democratic nomination for a third term on Princeton Council, with no Republican opposition on the ballot, are emphasizing the importance of this primary and the general election in November.

“The New Jersey gubernatorial race is more than just an election — it is a referendum on our core Democratic values,” Sacks wrote in an email.

“We must protect our democracy at both the local and the state levels,” said Lambros. “Given the current administration’s assault on democratic values, this election is critical — both the primary, where we choose the Democratic nominee, and the general election, where we must ensure their victory.”

She continued, highlighting the role of the next New Jersey governor to follow Phil Murphy, who is barred by term limits from running again. “Electing a Democratic governor is essential to preserving the programs and services that keep our communities safe and support our most vulnerable residents,” said Lambros. “The recent end of the party line in New Jersey was a historic step forward — one that empowers voters and strengthens our democracy. It also makes this primary election especially important, with a diverse field of candidates offering meaningful choices.”

The termination of the party line ballot design makes for a more competitive race, with candidates who have been endorsed by their county’s political parties no longer given more prominent placement on the ballot.

The core Democratic values that are on the line in this election according to Sacks include “protecting the environment, advancing sustainability, standing up for the rights of immigrants, ensuring due process and an impartial judiciary, expanding access to affordable housing, and addressing long-standing inequities that disproportionately impact communities of color.”

She added, “The values divide between the Democratic and Republican candidates in this race couldn’t be wider, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This race will determine whether we continue to build a state rooted in justice, inclusion, opportunity, and resilience.”

Focusing on her role locally as a Council member and Council president, Sacks continued, “Regardless of what happens in the gubernatorial race, these are the values that I will continue to support and uphold as an elected official in Princeton. My professional background working to defend civil liberties at the ACLU, and monitoring human rights abuses in politically repressive countries around the world, has become more relevant than I could ever have imagined.”

Lambros also focused on the challenges facing Princeton and her thoughts as she looks ahead to the likelihood of another three-year term on Council. “Here in Princeton, my connection to this community runs deep,” she said. “My family has lived and served here for over a century, shaping my lifelong commitment to give back. It has been an honor to serve Princeton over the past five years, and I would be proud to continue that service.”

She went on to note some of the priorities of local government, made more demanding in the face of challenges on the national scale. “I remain committed to supporting our underserved neighbors and restoring Princeton’s historic socio-economic diversity, which has been eroded by rising costs and affordability issues,” she stated, pointing out the local exigencies of upgrading aging infrastructure, improving the safety and accessibility of Princeton streets, and expanding opportunities for economic development.

“These efforts are all part of building a more inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking Princeton,” Lambros added.

Early voting will be available through this Sunday, June 8 in the Community Room of the Princeton Municipal Building and in six other locations throughout Mercer County, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

On Election Day, Tuesday, June 10, the polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with voters’ polling locations indicated on the front of sample ballots that were mailed out last week. Vote-by-mail ballots may be returned in any drop box — Princeton Municipal Building or Princeton University Wawa/Dinky Station in Princeton — or mailed back (postage pre-paid) or returned to the Mercer County Board of Elections, by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Visit mercercounty.org/elections for further information on polling locations and voting procedures.

On the Democratic ballot for governor are Mayors Ras Baraka of Newark and Steve Fulop of Jersey City, U.S. Congress Members Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, former State Senate President Steve Sweeney and state teachers’ union President Sean Spiller.

Running for the Republican nomination are Jack Ciattarelli, in his third race for governor; former radio host and Princeton resident Bill Spadea; State Senator Jon Bramnick; contractor Justin Barbera; and former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac.

The only other competitive race on the Princeton ballots will be the Democratic contest for nomination to two seats in the general assembly where incumbents Roy Freiman and Michelle Drulis are taking on a new challenger Mahmoud Desouky.

All unopposed for the Republican nominations are Catherine Payne and Scott Sipos seeking two seats in the general assembly, Shaolin Brown running for county clerk, and Daniel J. Hanley, Jr. and Alexander DiFalco for Mercer County Board of Commissioners.

Incumbent Paula Sollami Covello is unopposed in running for the Democratic nomination for another term as county clerk, and incumbents Nina Melker and Cathleen L. Lewis are seeking to be the Democratic nominees in November for the Board of County Commissioners.

New Jersey and Virginia are the only states holding gubernatorial elections this year, and they are expected to be bellwether states, with the election results providing early indications of voter attitudes in the first year of the Trump administration and leading up to the 2026 midterm elections that will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control Congress going forward.