PRINCETON: Howard, Liverman are expected to seek re-election

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Democrat council members Heather H. Howard and Lance Liverman last week privately informed some core supporters that they would run for re-election in 2015, said a source familiar with their thinking.
Their decision might clear the field of potential challengers in the Democratic primary given that they are seen as strong candidates. If so, that would mean Ms. Howard and Mr. Liverman are all but assured of retaining their seats on council given how Democrats win in landslides against Republican opponents in the general election.
Neither Ms. Howard nor Mr. Liverman returned phone and email messages seeking comment. A public announcement of their decision is expected.
"I’m having discussions with them," said Princeton Democratic chairman Peter Wolanin by phone Friday.
Earlier this month, both incumbents had been noncommittal about their plans for 2015. She said she was consulting with her family on the topic, while Mr. Liverman said he "honestly" did not know what he would do.
Their decision has ramifications not just for them but also for Mayor Liz Lempert ‘s ability to hold her narrow majority on council.
Ms. Howard and Mr. Liverman are her strongest allies on a governing body that splits on old borough-township lines on major issues. Those divisions reflect the broader feud in the Princeton Democratic Party between those alligned with Mayor Lempert versus those aligned with Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller and her husband, Jon.
"That’s great. Good for them," said Ms. Crumiller when told that Ms. Howard and Mr. Liverman had decided to run. "We’ll have to see if there’s a primary."
Ms. Crumiller was not among those that Ms. Howard and Mr. Liverman notified of their decision. Asked if she were trying to recruit candidates to run in the primary, Ms. Crumiller said it was "too early to comment on anything like that."
Mayor Lempert did not return phone calls seeking comment.
In Princeton, the political process is compressed into a five-to six-month window of time that ends with the Democratic primary—the critical contest given the political makeup of the town. Key to winning the primary is getting the endorsements of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization and the local party hierarchy, the latter having a big say in who gets preferential placement on the primary ballot.
Ms. Howard is a former borough councilwoman who was elected in 2012 to serve in the consolidated government. She is employed by Princeton University and has a business called the Heather Howard Group LLC that is headquartered out of house on Aiken Avenue, according to her 2014 financial disclosure statement.
Mr. Liverman, a former township committeeman, makes his living off real estate properties that he owns in town, his financial disclosure statement showed.
Democrats hold all six seats on council and the mayor’s office. In the general election two weeks ago, incumbents Bernard P. Miller and Jo S. Butler ran unopposed.