By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
The top Democrats chosen by the municipal chairs have come together to form a unified slate and campaign committee for the June 5 primary election.
Walter Bliss was chosen as the campaign committee chair.
This is not part of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, according to the membership organization’s leadership.
”The six candidates supported by the municipal committees, as those receiving the official party slogan, have decided to form a joint candidates committee in order to more effectively reach the voters with a message about the shared Democratic party values they are running on, and to make better use of volunteers,” said Peter Wolanin, corresponding secretary of the PCDO. “This will also help prepare them for working together in the general election and in January when we hope six Democrat to take office for the new council.”
On March 25, the PCDO voted to endorse Heather Howard, Bernie Miller, Lance Liverman and Patrick Simon.
The next night, March 26, the Democratic Municipal Committees of Princeton Borough and Township endorsed those four, but added Jenny Crumiller, who finished fifth in the PCDO votes and Jo Butler, who finished seventh in the PCDO results.
Scott Sillars who had seven more votes from the PCDO than Ms. Butler to finish sixth and Tamara Matteo. who finished seventh, were recommended to appear in the left column by both organizations, but without the Democratic Party slogan.
With Ms. Crumiller and Ms. Butler moving up and receiving endorsements by the committee, it shifts the balance to four borough people and two township people. In the PCDO results, there was an even mix of borough and township candidates.
The slate of candidates are looking forward to working together as a team.
”The whole purpose of the endorsement process was to select six candidates to run under a common banner and the unity slate being discussed is simply those six candidates,” said Borough Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller, who is running for a council seat. “All nine candidates competed for this opportunity (during the municipal endorsement day, the day after the PCDO vote) it’s not a matter of being voluntary or being forced on anyone. Besides that, obviously it’s more efficient to pool resources.”
While the candidates on the slate are supporting each other, those not included, such as Scott Sillars and Tamera Matteo, although they are in the left column, are left on their own for their campaign and without the Democratic slogan.
”This slate does not reflect the voice of the PCDO membership. The PCDO as a club is a separate entity from the regular Democratic Organization, which as the official arm of the Democratic Party is comprised of elected representatives from each voting district in Princeton,” said Mr. Crumiller when asked if she thought the slate was fair, especially considering the strong voice of the PCDO this year. “The regular Democratic Organization held its own meeting and heard presentations by each candidate and made its own decision, taking into account the PCDO vote but not being controlled by it.”
The candidates not on the slate are left with questions and hopes that this will allow them to shine as individuals.
”I don’t understand the motivation of some of the candidates in the slate. I think that many of our citizens are looking for more change in the new council than is represented by this slate,” said Mr. Sillars. “It will also make it easier to highlight my financial management experience in private, nonprofit and municipal sectors. This background is crucial to the successful implementation of consolidation and is in short supply in the slate.”
Running solo is a challenge for the candidates because the pooling of resources in the slate is a big advantage.
”It was disappointing,” said Ms. Matteo, who already has a campaign plan and strategy in place. “Because there are so many candidates running it is difficult to raise money and get volunteers. When six people combine all those, it definitely makes an advantage over someone running alone.”
Incumbent candidate Ms. Crumiller, who was the only candidate on the slate to respond to press inquiry by deadline, doesn’t see it as a slight, but something they have all worked hard for.
”It’s not a slight on any other candidates, it’s a reflection of the fact that this is an honor that we all competed for,” said Ms. Crumiller. “This unity slate promotes that teamwork. Teamwork across the old municipal boundaries will be essential to the success of consolidation. It promotes unity, maximized resources and honors the democratic process.”
