Also Awarded A Top Primary Ballot Placement and "Regular Democratic Organization" Slogan in Upcoming Princeton Council Primary Race
In a candidate forum and endorsement meeting Sunday night, the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) voted to support, but not endorse, three candidates for two open positions on Princeton Council.
With 165 ballots cast and voters’ first and second choices ranked equally, Mia Sacks received 97 first and second rank votes (59 percent), incumbent Tim Quinn 95 votes (58 percent), and Michelle Pirone Lambros 66 votes (40 percent). Sixty percent was required to win PCDO endorsement, 40 percent for support.
At a subsequent meeting of the elected members of the Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee on Monday night, 32 committee members representing the 22 voting districts of Princeton, also voting with a ranked voting system, voted to recommend to the chair of the Mercer County Democratic Committee the following ballot order in the Democratic column on the June primary ballot: Quinn, with 99 points; Sacks, with 93 points; Lambros, with 83 points; and Bierman with 45 points. The two highest-ranked candidates, Quinn and Sacks, receive the designation “Regular Democratic Organization” on the ballot.
In presenting the outcome of the Municipal Committee (MuniComm) vote, MuniComm Chair Scotia W. MacRae expressed her appreciation to the candidates. “Running for office is a difficult process, and I applaud you all for taking the step of entering a competitive race to become a public servant,” she said.
Sunday night’s full-house session at the Suzanne Patterson Resource Center gave the three candidates a chance to present their platforms and respond to questions raised by the audience, with Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker moderating the proceedings.
Each candidate delivered a two-minute opening speech. Eight questions followed — about individual qualifications, local issues, politics, and personal preferences, including such topics as parking, affordability, composting, inclusiveness and town-gown relationships — with each candidate allowed up to two minutes to respond.
Sacks, who is active in many local organizations, claimed that the town of Princeton is at “a critical point,” and “we need to come together.” She pointed out her focus on zoning and creating affordable housing, and she emphasized her proven skills as a communicator with an extensive background in working with nonprofits. A member of the Princeton Planning Board, she serves on the Master Plan subcommittee and will chair the Subdivision Committee. Sacks called for “better coordinated processes that lead to better outcomes.”
In a letter to PCDO members following Sunday’s meeting, PCDO President Jean Y. Durbin thanked the candidates and PCDO members for their successful participation. “As we turn towards the primary election on June 4, 2019, we know the candidate forum and endorsement meeting provided an opportunity for the candidates to be heard, refine their platforms, and reach the largest pool of Democratic voters in our community in true grassroots fashion,” she said.
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