By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Miller
Princeton Democrats appear to be lining up behind Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller and former school board president Tim Quinn in the four-way race for council, based on internal Democrat polling over a three-day span.
Ms. Crumiller and Mr. Quinn were the top vote-getters in that order during the Princeton Community Democratic Organization endorsement vote on Sunday, although neither picked up enough votes to get the club endorsement. That was followed Tuesday, with the Democratic municipal committee backing Ms. Crumiller and Mr. Quinn in a secret vote that means they are expected to get preferred ballot position for the June 7 primary.
Mr. Quinn said Wednesday that he was “pleased” with Tuesday’s outcome, with he and the other candidates seeking to use the next roughly 75 days before the primary to woo fellow Democrats. He said he would continue meeting with voters to press his case directly to them.
Meanwhile, Ms. Crumiller said Wednesday that she had felt pressure heading into Tuesday night before the municipal committee. As the only incumbent in the race, Ms. Crumiller failed to get the PCDO endorsement or even crack the 50 percent-threshold-in the first round of voting. Yet she said she was “thrilled” with how things turned out Sunday.
In interviews, she has emphasized her experience in government as one of her strengths that separates her from the other three people in the race. She and Mr. Quinn are expected to occupy the two top ballot positions for the council race, followed by challengers Leticia Fraga and Anne Neumann.
Ms. Fraga had a mixed week. She finished last on Sunday in the voting at the PCDO, but she finished only one vote behind Mr. Quinn on Tuesday.
She said Wednesday that she was “very happy” with her performance Tuesday compared to what had happened over the weekend. She, too, intends to reach as many voters as she can between now and primary day, in calling herself “well qualified if not the best qualified” candidate in the race.
“I really believe I have much to offer my community,” she said touting her diverse background.
Ms. Neumann also had a mixed week. She finished third at the PCDO but last on Tuesday. She declined to comment about Tuesday’s vote.
Given how Democrats outnumber Republicans in Princeton, the party primary acts as the de facto general election. This is the first contested council race since 2014.
Unlike that year, the four candidates are not running as a slate or ticket. For her part, Ms. Crumiller said she liked having competitive races.
This year, two three-year-term seats are up on the six-member council. Incumbent Patrick Simon announced in January that he would not seek re-election, after considering whether to run for mayor.
