To the Editor:

This year started with the historic inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and their commitment to unity and strengthening our democracy. PDMC and PCDO were thrilled to play a small part in this historic moment in the 2020 elections, and in this historic moment we call on our fellow Democrats to serve our community by considering running for elected office — we all have a role to play in advancing unity and strengthening our democracy.

As president of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO), in conjunction with Tommy Parker, the chair of Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee (PDMC), we are writing to encourage all Princeton Democrats to consider serving their community by getting more involved in the local Democratic Party or the local government. In this year’s election, there will be a Primary Election in June and a General Election in November for two open seats on Princeton Council. On the ballot will be candidates for New Jersey governor and state Assembly and Senate representatives. In Mercer County, we will elect a county surrogate and three county commissioners.

We invite you to join us at an open house meeting, which will be held via Zoom, on Saturday, February 13, from 10 to 11 a.m. to find out more about running and participating. The meeting is open to all, but you must RSVP so we can send you the Zoom link. Please respond to Patty Soll at patty@princetondems.org.

Topics to be covered include how candidates get on the ballot, the local Democratic Party endorsement process, and the differences between the PDMC and the PCDO. Local candidates should let us know by February 28 at the latest if they intend to seek the endorsement of the PCDO and/or the PDMC in March.

We want to thank the community as well as the members of the Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee and the PCDO for their support of a transparent and vibrant political culture that helps keep our government responsive to its residents.

Afsheeh Shamsi
President, Princeton Community
Democratic Organization