No Suspense In Princeton Council Election Results

PRINCETON, NJ — There was little to no suspense on Tuesday night for the Princeton Council elections. Two Democrats ran unopposed, and the results reflected just that.

Councilwoman Eve Niedergang ran for re-election, with political newcomer Leighton Newlin running for the seat left vacant by Councilman Dwaine Williamson.

On Wednesday, Niedergang won 5,395 votes and Newlin garnered 5,342 votes.

As a councilwoman Niedergang has focused on infrastructure and sustainable landscaping initiatives, and chairs the cannabis task force. Recently the Council passed the sustainable landscape ordinance, limiting the use of gas leaf blowers and other noise-generating landscaping equipment. The efforts were led by Niedergang.

Read More Here: Princeton Passes Ordinance Restricting Use of Gas Leaf Blowers

The Councilwoman is also chair of the Cannabis Task Force and was also instrumental in introducing an ordinance that prohibits all six categories of cannabis businesses. This opt-out ordinance is only temporary, and it gives the Cannabis Task Force (CTF) enough time to draft recommendations for an opt-in ordinance that they hope to present sometime this year.

In a Q&A with Patch ahead of the primaries in June, Niedergang said she would like to focus on climate change, property taxes, infrastructure, recovery from the pandemic among other issues.

“Bring your concerns to me and to other members of the Council! I know that I speak for my colleagues as well as myself when I say that all of us on Council want what is best for this community, so please don't hesitate to reach out. I will always listen with an open mind and with respect,” she said.

Newlin serves on the Board of the Witherspoon-Jackson Historic and Cultural Society, the Paul Robeson House, and is the co-chair of the Witherspoon Jackson Neighborhood Association.

He is a longtime Princeton resident who was the previous Chair of the Princeton Housing Authority and on the Board of Commissioners.

“I want to know more, to be better, more accountable, and more representative of all Princetonians. My goal is to leverage our vast resources and intellect to help Princeton become a template for the town or small city of the future. A town that is equitable for all and is colorful in both the faces of the people who live here as well as in their attitudes towards one another,” Newlin told Patch ahead of the June primary.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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