Polls close at 8 p.m. in contest between Democrats Joseph O’Neill, a borough councilman and Reed Gusciora, a New Jersey Assemblyman.
By: Jennifer Potash
Two Princeton politicians, each with a distinct style, today hope to garner enough voters to become the Democratic candidate for Princeton Borough mayor.
Princeton Borough Councilman Joseph O’Neill and New Jersey Assemblyman Reed Gusciora are seeking their party’s nomination for the November general election. Mayor Marvin Reed announced in March he would not seek a fourth term.
With Democrats the dominant political party in the borough, today’s primary is widely viewed as the de facto general election for mayor.
The polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Mr. Gusciora, 43, of Maclean Street is running as an outsider candidate and said he would bring a fresh perspective to the mayor’s office. He also said his state Assembly office will benefit borough residents.
Mr. O’Neill, 69, of Gordon Way tells voters his 16 years of service on the Princeton Regional Planning Board and two years on the Princeton Borough Council have brought him an in-depth knowledge of the municipality and how it works.
The candidates agree on many points maintaining an affordable Princeton housing stock to keep a diverse ethnic and racial population; supporting a Millstone Bypass plan that puts Route 1 under Washington Road; and working with Princeton University for a mutually beneficial relationship.
The key difference between Mr. Gusciora and Mr. O’Neill is over downtown development.
Mr. Gusciora praised the Borough Council-approved garage development, with a 500-car parking garage, pair of five-story mixed-use buildings and a plaza, as an example of smart growth. But he also emphasized that the process drew the ire of over 800 residents who sought a referendum on the project.
Mr. O’Neill, who stands behind his vote to approve the project, said in hindsight the council should have used a more open procedure in selecting a developer.
The candidates have taken different paths to try to win the nomination.
Mr. Gusciora held several fund-raisers and a few social get-to-know-the-candidate gatherings. He also produced a campaign Web site and a glossy campaign mailer or two.
Mr. O’Neill, by contrast, emphasized morning coffees in the neighborhoods or meetings with different groups and resident associations. He also mailed two lengthy essays on downtown development and affordable housing to registered Democrats.
A lawyer by training, Mr. Gusciora moved to Princeton in 1989 to work on then-Mayor Barbara Sigmund’s gubernatorial campaign. In the Legislature, he has worked to push the New Jersey Department of Transportation to consider different alignments for the so-called Millstone Bypass.
He was elected to the state Assembly in 1995 and rose among the party ranks to serve as chairman of the Assembly’s Environment and Solid Waste Committee and as vice chairman of the Transportation Committee. He also worked on Capitol Hill in the congressional offices of former U.S. Rep. Andy Ireland (D-Fla.) and the late Rep. Mike Synar (D-Okla.).
Mr. O’Neill, a former Jesuit priest, taught ethics at Georgetown University in the mid-1960s.
He left the priesthood, but not the education field. He spent his career as a teacher; he was the founding president of Hudson County Community College and executive director of the Conference of Small Private Colleges. He is retired as a principal research scientist at Educational Testing Service.
He was appointed to the Borough Council in August 2001 to fill Councilman Ryan Stark Lilienthal’s seat and was elected to the council three months later.
Mr. O’Neill will gather with supporters from 8 to 10 p.m. tonight at The Annex, 128½ Nassau St.
Mr. Gusciora’s election night party will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. at Triumph Brewery, 138 Nassau St.

