Politics & Government

Tamera Matteo Announces Run for Borough Council

Matteo will seek the Democratic endorsement.


Princeton Township resident Tamera Matteo will seek the Democratic Party endorsement for the new Princeton Council at both the Princeton Community Democratic Organization Endorsement Meeting on March 25 and an upcoming Princeton Township Municipal Democratic Committee Meeting.

“I am running for Princeton Council in the new consolidated Princeton, because I believe my broad experience as a long-time retail business owner in both the Borough and Township, and my involvement as an engaged community and parent volunteer, will allow me to bring a new and diverse perspective to Council," Matteo said. "I am enthusiastic about sharing ideas and look forward to the opportunity to earn the support of my fellow Democrats during the endorsement process, and then hopefully the entire community in the general clection.”

Tamera Matteo and her husband Joseph have lived in Princeton Township for 15 years, where they are raising their two children, Lucia, 14 and Luke 11.  After graduating from the University of Denver in 1991, Matteo worked as an advertising manager, for both the domestic and international markets, for the Ralph Lauren Home Collection. She was responsible for overseeing all brand communications, including advertising, promotional materials, packaging and a $7 million advertising budget.

In 1996, she opened an independent home and design store in Palmer Square, where she expanded the store to larger location, and then expanded it again to 4,200 square feet at the Princeton Shopping Center. As the owner, Matteo employed 10 sales professionals.  Operating an independent retail business for more over 10 years in Princeton gave her a deep understanding of the diverse needs of the community, as it pertains to merchant services, business and property owners, and the importance of balancing parking and transportation needs of residents.   

Matteo feels strongly that her experiences as an engaged parent in the schools, the recreation leagues and youth organizations gives her a distinct advantage of understanding the needs of residents raising young families in Princeton, a group, she feels has been largely under-represented in the local government over the past 15 years.   

Serving as the PTO president of the John Witherspoon Middle School during the crucial transition time when the 25-year veteran principal was retiring and a new principal was being hired gave Tamera considerable insight on how to honor the legacy of the old, while embracing the ideas of the new. That experience will be helpful in understanding positions and navigating needs of residents during the Consolidation process.  Additionally, because of her involvement with the PTO, Save Our Schools NJ and PEF, she became immersed in understanding the school budget and its impact on municipal taxes, and the importance of balancing the needs of students with the limitations of taxpayers.

Matteo currently serves on the boards of the Corner House Foundation and the McCarter Theatre Gala. Over the past 16 years, she has volunteered with numerous community organizations, including Youth Concerns, Friends of the Library, Borough Merchants for Princeton (now PMA), Arts Council of Princeton, Community Park Pool Friends, JW School PTO, Princeton Educational Foundation, Save Our Schools NJand PI Day. In 2007, she was awarded “Mercer County Volunteer of the Year” when she served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for CASA of Mercer County.   


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