Bloomfield Mayor Candidates Tackle 2024 Election At Forum (VIDEO)

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The two Democratic candidates for Bloomfield mayor, Ted Gamble and Jenny Mundell, recently met for a forum ahead of the 2024 primary election, sharing their stances on topics such as campaign finance, policing, housing affordability and economic development.

The Jersey Bee, a nonprofit local news organization serving eastern Essex County, hosted a discussion with Mundell and Gamble last week at 23 Skiddoo Cafe, which was also livestreamed online (watch the video below or view it online here).

Gamble, the town’s interim mayor, and Mundell, who represents Bloomfield’s first ward on the town council, are each trying to capture the Democratic Party nomination in the upcoming primary election on June 4. See Related: Bloomfield Ballots Will Look Different For 2024 Primary Election

The Jersey Bee’s executive editor, Simon Galperin, pressed Mundell and Gamble about their opinions on several key issues, with questions partially inspired by pre-event outreach from Bloomfield residents. Read the Bee’s in-depth analysis and recap of the forum here.

Some highlights that voters may want to check out include:

• 9:57 - Candidate opening statements
• 22:27 - On citizen participation in government
• 30:46 - On funding their campaigns
• 33:54 - On former Mayor Michael Venezia's influence
• 45:44 - On overpolicing
• 57:05 - On housing affordability
• 1:04:31 - On climate resiliency
• 1:10:44 - On economic development
• 1:17:02 - Candidate closing statements

In addition to Gamble and Mundell, who are running as Democrats, there is also a Republican candidate for mayor who will appear on the primary election ballot, David G. Tucker, who is running unopposed for the GOP nod.

Democratic and Republican voters in Bloomfield will also get to choose candidates for an unexpired at-large term on the township council. Democrats will choose between Monica Charris Tabares and Rodney P. Cauthen. The Republican candidate, Russell A. Mollica, is running unopposed.

The winners of the primary election will earn the backing of their political party, gaining a large advantage heading into the November general election.

Catch up on some of our recent election coverage in Bloomfield below (click headline to read the article):

• Bloomfield Mayor Mike Venezia Resigns, Begins New Post As NJ Assemblyman
• Gamble Appointed Bloomfield Mayor Over Mundell; Future Showdown Looms
• Bloomfield Town Council Chooses Tabares To Replace Gamble
• Mundell, Gamble Duke It Out Over ‘The Party Line’: Bloomfield Election
• NJ Affordable Housing Changes Are 'Major Step,' Bloomfield Mayor Says
• Bloomfield Councilwoman ‘Outraged’ Over Abortion Bans In FL, AZ

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Bloomfield Facebook page.