The Trenton Times published the following article on November 10, 2013. To read the full article, click here.

Trenton mayoral candidates focusing on crime rate, economic revitalization

By Jenna Pizzi/The Times of Trenton
on November 10, 2013 at 7:07 AM, updated November 11, 2013 at 12:57 PM

TRENTON — With less than six months left before Trenton voters head to the polls to cast their vote for mayor, those who have announced their candidacy have already begun hitting the pavement to get the word out to residents.

Former city public works director, Eric Jackson, largely expected to be the front-runner, said he believes he has the leadership and experience voters are looking for to fill the executive’s office at city hall.

“I am bringing integrity back, honesty back, to make a government that runs effectively and efficiently to serve the city,” Jackson said.

Jackson, 55, is known to voters who were around four years ago for the 2010 mayoral race. He emerged from a crowded pool of 10 candidates, but came in third behind Trenton Mayor Tony Mack and second-place finisher Manuel Segura, who faced each other in a runoff election.

This time, Jackson said, he believes he has what it takes to win the May 6 election.
“We are ready to go to work on July 1,” he said.

This time Jackson will be met with opposition from four first-time candidates: former Police Director Jim Golden, city businessman Patrick Hall, consultant Paul Perez, and Deputy County Clerk Walker Worthy. Mack has yet to say if he will run for re-election in 2014, but he held a fundraising event in July. Mack did not respond to a request seeking comment for this story.

All of the announced candidates said if they are elected, they will concentrate on reducing the city’s crime rate.