Princeton Primary Election Profile: Leticia Fraga

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton's preliminary election on July 7 has three candidates running for two open seats on the Town Council and one candidate running unopposed for mayor. Leticia Fraga, 61, is one of three Democratic candidates running.

Fraga, a current incumbent councilwoman, has worked as a Civil Rights Specialist for 7 years, Paralegal/Investigator for 4 years, and a Community Volunteer for 20 years.

Her family includes her husband Steven Nadler, 61; 16-year-old twins Sofia and Benjamin Nadler; daughter Sara Espinoza, 43; son Antonio Espinoza, 41; daughter Sandra Espinoza, 15; plus nine grandchildren ages 1 to 23.

Fraga has graduated from Rider University.

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Campaign website

leticiafraga.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

As a first-generation immigrant, I know firsthand what it means to fight for better opportunities for our families. I am dedicated to making Princeton the best version of itself: standing strong in our shared progressive values; committed to kindness, fiscal prudence, overall quality of life, and general health and well-being.

During my first term on Council, it has been my distinct privilege both to serve and to lead. With all I have learned, I understand better than ever how much there still is to do. I am seeking a second term so that I can carry on with the many projects I’ve initiated or joined colleagues to pursue since I have been on Council.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Our current health and economic crisis highlighted urgent needs that we must focus on in the coming years. The pandemic has also highlighted for many of us just how woefully underfunded our Health and Human Services Departments are. I want to work on strengthening and expanding the services we offer that help meet the most basic needs and improve quality of life for all who call Princeton home - this should include expanding the preventative health services now provided through our Health Department's Well Baby Clinic to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all uninsured or under-insured members of our community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I know that all the candidates are community spirited and want the best for our town. Each brings a different background to the table. I think I bring something to the table that the others do not, and that is my long-standing involvement in empowering and giving a voice to those who have been historically marginalized and under-served. In my career as a civil rights specialist, a mediator, an investigator and as a volunteer, I gained skills that I have put to use during the past twenty years that I have served our community. I have a proven track record of solving problems, building bridges and creating consensus.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

In addition to strengthening and expanding the services we offer that help meet the most basic needs of all of our residents, we also need to continue working on developing strategies and policies to ensure that both our residents and business community can recover from the pandemic’s economic devastation.

Also, the tragic events of the last few days and weeks, have once again shined a spotlight on centuries of abuse and mistrust nationwide. We need to ensure we are continuously fostering a culture of trust and respect.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a member of Princeton’s Economic Development Committee, I have worked with other members on strategies, policies, and improvements for a more vibrant business district. Most recently, in response to the pandemic’s economic devastation, I have worked with colleagues on strategies to ensure our residents and our business community can recover from the pandemic’s economic devastation. Also, as liaison to the Board of Health, I have worked with our Health Officer and members of the Board to ensure we are providing guidance to our residents and members of our business community to ensure proper procedures are in place that will keep our community safe.

As the liaison to Public Safety and designated Police Commissioner for Princeton, I have worked closely with our Chief of Police and other members of our Public Safety Committee to ensure we are continuously fostering a culture of trust and respect. I take part in the process of recruiting new officers, and at my suggestion, the department now posts monthly and annual statistics on the municipal website that include data on traffic stops that include racial/ethnic makeup of citations issued versus warnings.

If re-elected to a second term, I will continue to work on seeking community-driven solutions that uphold our shared values, with a focus on equity, affordability, prosperity and inclusion

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When we were teenagers, my twin sister said something very meaningful to me that we didn't realize at the time just how it would shape me and put me on the path to where I would eventually find myself. After hearing me complain one too many times about something or other being unfair or unjust, she turned to me and said, "So, what are you going to do about it?" To this day, rather than complaining about unfair or unjust policies - I need to be willing to do something to make a change for the better.

A friend once shared a quote that stuck with me and also applies to what my sister said to me:

"Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are." — Augustine of Hippo.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have served our community for almost 20 years — first as a volunteer and now as a public servant. I share our residents' expectations that Princeton as a community must be safe and friendly, inclusive, fair and prosperous for all who call Princeton home.

I know firsthand what it means to fight for better opportunities for our families. Not only as a first-generation immigrant - but also as a one-time single parent who knows too well the hardship of having to live paycheck to paycheck - and in part the reason for my commitment to making Princeton the best version of itself: standing strong in our shared progressive values. Committed to kindness, fiscal prudence, overall quality of life, and general health and well-being.

These past two and a half years, it has been my distinct privilege both to serve and to lead. Our municipal staff are some of the most thoughtful, hard working professionals around. Side by side with them, and with the many dedicated volunteers who serve on our boards, commissions, task forces and committees, and through our rich network of local organizations, I have taken on big challenges. I am immensely proud of what we have managed to accomplish together in just two and a half years. With all I have learned, I understand better than ever how much there still is to do.