By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Councilwoman Jo S. Butler said Monday that she would decide in the next couple of weeks whether to run for re-election or not, a decision that the political foil to Mayor Liz Lempert said will be done with personal and professional considerations in mind., Ms. Butler, a Democrat, has said for weeks that she had not made up her mind about seeking another three-year-term. Fellow Democrats have said they have no insights into her thinking on a topic that has been grist for speculation that Ms. Butler will forgo running., In a phone interview, Ms. Butler, a search consultant with Wickenden Associates, a headhunting firm for private schools, said she wants to see how some changes at her job play out. She also raised “personal considerations” that she declined to elaborate on., Asked if she wanted to spend three more years in government, she said, “That’s what I’m thinking about.”, She pointed to a series of agenda items that she wants to be a part of, including renovating downtown, rezoning a large tract of Princeton University-owned land known as the Butler Tract and responding to the University’s campus plan that will guide how Nassau Hall grows the school., Ms. Butler, 63, is in her seventh year serving in municipal government. She was on Borough Council for two years before being elected, in 2012, to serve on the council of the consolidated municipality., She said she believes she has gotten better at being in government with time. “The more you know, obviously, the more informed you become about the decisions you make,” she said., Within political circles, she is aligned with Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller, and has butted heads with Mayor Lempert. She endured a bruising re-election campaign in 2014 to fend off a Lempert-backed opponent, former Township Committeewoman Sue Nemeth, by fewer than 10 votes., “Nothing could be more challenging than that,” she said of the contest., At the same time, she said she is confident her supporters, who rallied to her side in 2014, will be with her again. “I think if I run, Jenny would support me,” Ms. Butler said., Ms. Crumiller could not be reached for comment., Ms. Butler is seen out of the borough mode of governing, willing to air disagreements in the public and touch unpopular issues. Sometimes that has gotten her into trouble, like in 2013 when, curious about where emergency calls get routed from Princeton University, she called 911 at the Dinky station and then hung up. Law enforcement investigated, ultimately letting her off without charging with calling the number when no emergency existed., For her part, though, Ms. Butler dismissed the notion that she is the loyal opposition to Mayor Lempert. She said she raises questions “that others don’t,” notably objecting to when Mayor Lempert wanted to be part of the negotiating team to reach a voluntary financial contribution from Nassau Hall, her husband’s employer. Mayor Lempert did not return phone messages., Ms. Butler is one of two incumbents on council this year. The other, Councilman Bernard P. Miller, announced Jan.4 that he would not run for another term., Ms. Butler said his looming departure and the retirement of Councilman Patrick Simon were influencing her thinking. She said she brings, to the council, a perspective from the private sector that would be missing if she were to step away., Already, one candidate has jumped into the council race. Leticia Fraga, who lost her first bid for council last year, in the Democratic Primary, will try again this year., Planning Board member David Cohen said Monday that he had thought about doing it, but he decided not to enter the race. Amner Deleon, a fellow Democrat who flirted with running for council last year, said Monday he is considering a council run this year., In March, members of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, the party club, will have an endorsement vote for council candidates, a move that helps determine which of them get preferred ballot position for the primary.
