Mercer County Executive Debate Sparks Attack on Incumbent Hughes

Calling his opponent a career politician who accepts kickbacks and spends $2 million on no-show state jobs, Republican candidate for Mercer County Executive Jonathan Savage pulled no punches in his debate with Democratic incumbent Brian Hughes on Thursday.

The debate at Robertson Hall, Princeton University, was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Hopewell, Lawrence, Princeton and Hightstown and East Windsor

About 70 people attended.

During a discussion about Jacobs Ridge Creek Bridge in Hopewell, Savage accused Hughes of taking a $10,000 contribution in exchange for a bridge contract. 

Hughes objected.

“I think if Mr. Savage is going to talk about me of taking a $10,000 payment from somebody for building or taking down a bridge, he ought to flesh that out a little bit more. I think that’s an absolutely outrageous comment to make because. I don’t take $10,000 payments for anything.”

Savage wants smaller county government and said there is about $2 million being spent on no-show jobs.

Hughes again objected.

“I work with a group of hardworking, dedicated county employees who come in every day and work their hearts out for the people of Mercer County. I don’t know where John’s been hanging around, but he’s not been hanging around Mercer County government,” he said.

Savage calls himself a fiscal conservative and said Hughes has the county on an unsustainable spending plan. He said his opponent has continually raised taxes and accepted more than $1 million in donations in exchange for lucrative contracts.

Savage touted his 30 years working in economic development in both the public and private sector. He promises to create 1,000 new jobs in his first six months in office and 2,000 within the first year. This could be done through tax increment financing, loan programs and bringing businesses into the county.

Hughes focused on his accomplishments in office, including lowering county taxes from $0.57 to $0.48 on a $100 assessment, creating private sector jobs and trimming county government by 10 percent for the first time in county history.

The candidates debated issues from the Youth House closure, the future of Mercer County Community College and the issues facing Trenton.

Savage said it was a mistake to close the Youth House and wants to reopen it. Hughes said it was costing the county too much money.

To help the City of Trenton, Hughes would use Mercer County Community College’s recent $500,000 donation, along with city, county and state funds to create help revitalize as part of the city’s new economic renaissance, creating a downtown corridor along Broad Street and offering more courses downtown.

Savage argued the county shouldn’t take on more debt, but make better use of the existing facilities and launching a business incubator to help grow new businesses, provide educational opportunities and help students get jobs.

Savage wants to help municipalities cut taxes by consolidating local tax offices, health departments and trash collection. He wants to work with legislature to provide county tax abatements and less state regulation for businesses. He wants the county to sell the Mercer County Airport, which he says has saddled the county with debt.

Hughes said the airport provides $1.5 million in annual property taxes and believes it would be a mistake to sell. He proposes job growth through more small business loans, which to date only have a 10 percent default rate.

To improve public safety in Trenton, Hughes said officials are working with local police departments to fill the manpower shortage. Savage suggests using the sheriffs to help supplement police patrols, tougher prosecution on crime and downtown redevelopment.

Asked by an audience member about moving to a county incinerator instead of landfill, Hughes said he would not reopen that battle that has already been fought in Trenton. Savage said he would like further investigation.