In the upcoming primary election on June 7, four Democrats are running for two open seats on Princeton Council. Mayor Liz Lempert, also a Democrat, is running for re-election in the primary, challenged by Republican Peter Marks.

Jenny Crumiller

The one incumbent who is hoping to be re-elected for another term on Council, Ms. Crumiller previously served on Princeton Borough Council prior to consolidation in 2013. She has spoken often of her concerns about maintaining the town’s character and making it more affordable. The epidemic of “teardowns” in several areas of Princeton is another focus of her attention, and she has suggested addressing the problem through stronger zoning regulations.

Ms. Crumiller hears from many constituents about slowing down traffic. She is in favor of the town reaping some sort of financial benefit from Communiversity, possibly through an admission charge for having vendors pay to participate. Regarding the Valley Road School building, which is in disrepair, she has said it should be sold or used for a creative purpose, perhaps in a partnership with developers who do adaptive reuse of old buildings.

Tim Quinn

A former president and vice president of the Princeton Board of Education and a current member of the town’s Planning Board, Mr. Quinn is the marketing and communications director of Princeton Public Library. His top issues include keeping Princeton diverse by expanding affordable housing in a variety of price ranges, protecting neighborhood character, ensuring that disadvantaged and under-represented citizens are connected with quality municipal services, and investigating sustainable solutions to save money, the environment, and reflect the community’s values.

Like Ms. Crumiller, Mr. Quinn is concerned about the effect of homes being torn down in different areas of town. What is built in place of houses that are demolished is often out of character and too big for its surrounding neighborhood, he has said. Princeton can share services with other agencies such as the school district, he suggests. Due to his tenure on the school board, Mr. Quinn feels uniquely qualified to provide insight on these matters.

Anne Neumann

A native of Princeton, Ms. Neumann remembers when it was a less dense and less expensive place to live. If elected, she has said she would work to recapture some of those values of earlier days. High taxes and the soaring costs of housing are among the most pressing concerns she has raised. She is a frequent critic of many policies held by Princeton University, and has advocated that the school pay more taxes.

Ms. Neumann has served on the Site Plan Review Advisory Board and the town’s Environmental Commission. Princeton’s zoning laws need to be strengthened to allow for more diversity and affordability in housing options, she has said. Ms. Neumann believes the Valley Road School building could be renovated and used by the town’s nonprofit groups. She has also recommended that Princeton create a special improvement district, which would include downtown businesses as well as the University.

Leticia Fraga

Campaigning around town, Leticia Fraga hears repeatedly from people that they feel they aren’t being heard. A native of Mexico who came to the United States when she was 12 and a Princeton resident for the past 17 years, she advocates for more affordability for those who are being forced out by higher taxes and other costs. Princeton needs to look at housing options not exclusively aimed at the wealthy, she has said. Diversity is also a priority.

Ms. Fraga is a relative newcomer to politics, but she is vice-chair of Princeton’s Human Services Commission and chairs the town’s subcommittee on civil rights. The Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Princeton Community Housing, and the Princeton YWCA are other agencies to which she has given her time. She is less critical of the University than some of her fellow candidates, but agrees that the school should contribute more to the municipal budget. If elected, Ms. Fraga would be the first Latino to serve on the governing body.

Mayoral Candidates:

Liz Lempert

After three years in office, Ms. Lempert announced her decision last March to run for another term. A member of Princeton Township Committee and its deputy mayor prior to consolidation, she was a strong advocate for merging the two Princetons and admits more work needs to be done before the promises of consolidation are fulfilled.

During her tenure, she has advocated against gun violence, expressed support of mandatory paid sick leave for employees, and traveled to the White House for a discussion of national issues. Princeton has secured a AAA bond rating, been named a “Bike Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists and designated “Age Friendly Community” by the World Health Organization during her tenure. There is better communication with residents since she has taken office, she has said, and she hopes to continue focusing on affordability and sustainability, among other issues.

Peter Marks

Local businessman Peter Marks says he is running for mayor because he was asked to run. A native and longtime resident of Princeton, he has concerns about zoning, specifically as it affects the changing nature of the downtown. He has raised the issue of the way pensions are handled, suggesting that a refined benefit plan be replaced with a refined contribution plan. Escalating property taxes and the too-rapid pace of development are also among his priorities.

Consolidation has not produced the results many expected, primarily because services have been cut back, Mr. Marks has said. Princeton should maintain its size, and remain a town instead of turning into a city. The town’s master plan and zoning have been altered in recent years to accommodate the University, favored restaurants, and other groups, he has said, and this needs to change.