Politics & Government

Democrats Sweep Princeton Elections

According to unofficial results, Yina Moore is Princeton Borough's new Mayor.

Tuesday’s election was a sweep for Democrats in Princeton, but it was not without a serious challenge from a Republican Mayoral candidate. 

The following tallies are unofficial tallies from the borough and township clerks and have not yet been certified by the Mercer County Clerk and may not include absentee ballot totals:

Democrat Yina Moore received 1,117 votes for Mayor, edging out her opponent, Republican Jill Jachera, who received 984 votes.

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Moore, a consultant and member of the Princeton Regional Planning Board, will replace Mildred Trotman, who is retiring at the end of the year. 

Moore will take office in January and serve for one year. In November 2012, voters will return to the polls to elect a mayor and governing body of a consolidated Princeton.

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At a post-election party at Conte’s Pizza, Moore thanked her supporters and addressed the crowd.

“What we have before us are great opportunities to move forward together,” she said. “I’m glad that we won the battle and won the war.”

Throughout the campaign, Moore declined to publically state her position on consolidation, saying she would respect the voters’ decision and the question would already be decided by the time a new mayor took office.

Jachera, an attorney, endorsed consolidation. Although she was the first Republican to enter the race for Borough Mayor in 12 years in a highly Democratic town, she earned endorsements from both the Princeton Packet and the The Daily Princetonian.

Several voters at the borough polls said they crossed political party lines to vote for Jachera because they believed she was the right candidate for mayor.

Others believed her experience her experience would directly benefit residents with consolidation and town-gown relations.

“Her work with the YWCA (board) demonstrates the skills and background necessary to work with the university and through consolidation,” said resident Brad Middlekauff.

In Princeton Township, Democratic Committee members Bernie Miller and Sue Nemeth retained their seats with votes of 2,739 and 2,682, respectively. Republican challenger Geoff Aton received 1,280 votes and Republican challenger Mark Scheibner received 1,277 votes.

In Princeton Borough, Democratic Council member Barbara Trelsdad retained her seat with 1,402 votes. Democrat Heather Howard will join council with 1,441 votes. Republican challengers Dudley Sipprelle and Peter Marks received 572 and 574 votes respectively. Green Party Candidate Robert Raphael earned 55 votes.


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