By Anne Levin
At its candidate forum and endorsement meeting on Sunday, March 15, the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) voted to endorse incumbent David Cohen for Princeton Council and Nakia White Barr for Mercer County commissioner. Some 200 people were on hand at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Princeton for the meeting, at which eligible members of the PCDO submitted their votes following candidate forums moderated by State Sen. Andrew Zwicker.
Candidates must receive 60 percent of the votes to qualify for endorsement by the PCDO, and 40 percent to earn its support. There are two available seats on Council. Running along with Cohen, an architect who is seeking a fourth term, are publishing executive Jon Durbin, Princeton Nursery School Executive Director Leanna Jahnke, and architect Marina Rubina. The second seat is open because Councilwoman Leticia Fraga is not seeking reelection.
A total of 164 ballots were cast; making the PCDO’s endorsement threshold 99 votes. In the first round of tabulation, Cohen received 97 votes; Rubina, 81; Durbin, 68; and Jahnke, 65. Since no one crossed the endorsement threshold, a top three runoff was held, which eliminated Jahnke and reallocated her votes to the voter’s next choice candidate.
The runoff resulted in Cohen receiving 115 votes and the PCDO endorsement, Rubina earning 94 and PCDO support, and Durbin getting 82 votes and PCDO support. Running for commissioner in addition to Barr are Lucy Walter and John Cimino. A total of 163 ballots were cast. Barr earned 116 votes, Walter got 91, and Cimino received 67.
In a closed meeting held on Monday, the Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee (PDMC) voted to recommend Cohen and Rubina for the party’s ballot slogan, which signifies an alignment with party values. The PDMC is the town’s official Democratic Party organization and is made up of 40 elected representatives. The PDMC sends its recommendation to the Mercer County Democratic Party chairperson, who makes the final decision.
Following their opening statements on Sunday, candidates had one minute to answer questions submitted by audience members. Topics included budgetary issues, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), affordable housing, PILOTS (payments in lieu of taxes), how the Westminster Choir College campus will be used, and walkability.
Cohen focused on the benefits of his experience on Council, and also commented that Princeton University could do more in terms of housing its staff. Jahnke said that the “missing middle” needs to be addressed. She also suggested that local businesses receive information on what to do in the event of ICE actions.
Rubina urged the return of duplexes and more alternative forms of home ownership. To avoid any conflict of interest, she said she would not work on any projects in Princeton while serving on Council, should she be elected. Durbin stressed his commitment to going door-to-door and talking to residents, and said the town needs more affordable units that are for sale, rather than only for rent.
The PCDO voted by acclamation to endorse Jack Kemler for Mercer County sheriff and Diane Gerofsky for Mercer County surrogate. Both are uncontested in the primary.