Borough mayor will not run for mayor of consolidated towns

Borough Mayor Yina Moore ’79 said she will not run for mayor of consolidated Princeton. Moore will instead campaign for a position on the town council of the consolidated municipalities, effective January 2013.

Moore said in an email that she wants to focus on her current duties as mayor without the distraction of a campaign and that she can continue to implement her agenda as a member of the new council.

“I think we have the opportunity to elect a mayor who has broad experience, has contributed to the Princeton community outside of the political arena, and who has the vision and fortitude to lead our community in a new era,” Moore said.

Moore’s absence leaves two Democratic candidates in the mayoral race, Township Deputy Mayor Liz Lempert and Borough Councilman Kevin Wilkes ’83. Lempert has already obtained the endorsement of current Township mayor, Chad Goerner. All candidates seeking endorsement by the Princeton Community Democratic Organization had until Sunday to declare their intent to run. The PCDO will decide at its March 25 meeting which candidates to endorse.

Along with the declaration of mayoral candidates, 10 Borough and Township residents are also seeking PCDO endorsement for six seats on the new town council. Moore will run alongside Borough Council members Jo Butler, Jenny Crumiller, Heather Howard and Roger Martindell and Township Committee members Lance Liverman and Bernie Miller. Three new candidates — Scott Sillars, Tamera Matteo and Patrick Simon — are also seeking election.

PCDO President Dan Preston explained that a candidate must receive more than 60 percent of the membership vote to be fully endorsed. A candidate receiving more than 40 percent but less than the required 60 will receive a recommendation that he or she appears in the same column on the voting ballot as main party candidates.

Preston also said he does not believe consolidation will change how voters view the election.

“People are going to be choosing who they feel is going to be the best mix to represent the community,” said Preston, who supported consolidation.

“I’m excited we have a wealth of riches here, and I think, no matter the outcome, we’re going to end up with an excellent set of candidates,” he said.

Should Wilkes win the election, he will follow Moore as the second University graduate since 1949 to hold the top job in the municipality in which the University is located. Unlike Moore, however, Wilkes has publicly declared his support for the Arts and Transit Neighborhood proposal, which would require movement of the Dinky.