When Princeton voters cast their ballots for two Princeton Council candidates in the Nov. 5 general election, the choice will be simple – Leighton Newlin and Brian McDonald.
The two Democrats are running unopposed for two open seats on the Princeton Council. Newlin is an incumbent councilman, and McDonald is a newcomer to municipal elected office.
The Republican Party did not field candidates for the Princeton Council seats.
Newlin is seeking a second, three-year term on the Princeton Council. McDonald is completing his second term on the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education and is making his first run for municipal elected office.
Newlin, who grew up in Princeton and returned home in 1996, said he is running for re-election so he can continue to work on the issues that he feels are important – from housing to social services, public safety and transit and mobility.
Newlin said there is a significant learning curve to understanding the nuances of civic government engagement, and it has felt like he is just getting started.
“Serving on the Princeton Council has deepened my understanding of local governance, and I am eager to apply this knowledge to continue to make meaningful changes,” he said.
During his first term on the Princeton Council, it achieved critical milestones, Newlin said. The Princeton Council established the CARES Committee to unite efforts across affordable housing, human services and civil rights. The new committee replaced the town’s Affordable Housing Board, the Human Services Commission and the Civil Rights Commission.
Partnering with Catholic Charities has enhanced the town’s ability to provide comprehensive clinical, mental health and addiction services, plus essential support for food, clothing and housing in the community, he said.
In his role as the liaison to the Princeton Historic Preservation Commission, Newlin said he recognizes the responsibility to maintain and preserve the town’s unique architectural and streetscape history, neighborhood by neighborhood.
“This is a critical element as we work toward achieving our affordable housing obligation, bringing more people, more energy and more diversity to Princeton,” Newlin said. “I have grown to better appreciate our past as we build toward our future.”
The Princeton Council adopted several ordinances to allow for increased density in some areas of the town to help it to provide its fair share of affordable housing. The historically Black Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, which became the town’s 20th municipal historic district in 2017, is one of those areas.
Newlin is especially pleased with his “Leighton Listens” initiative. Once a week, he sets up shop at a business in town where residents can drop by and hold one-on-one conversations with him. It also highlights and supports the many small businesses in town, he said.
Looking ahead to his second term, Newlin said he wants to increase the town’s affordable housing stock for very low- , low- and moderate-income households.
He also wants to address the challenges posed by absentee landlords and to examine the impact of Airbnb and transient housing on the community. He wants to help reshape the Princeton Housing Authority, with an eye toward supporting underserved and marginalized populations.
Newlin also pledged to continue to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in all decision-making processes.
As one of two people of color on the Princeton Council – himself and Princeton Councilwoman Leticia Fraga – he recognizes the importance of diversity in representation.
“I wake up each day understanding that it is an honor and a privilege to serve the 33,000 residents of Princeton,” Newlin said. “My commitment is to be accessible and responsive. I strive to be a good neighbor. Being local and not hard to find is my DNA.”
Newlin said his motto has not changed – “Smart Growth, Wise Choices.” Working together, it is possible to build a brighter future for all residents, he said.
McDonald, who has lived in Princeton for 30 years, is making his first run for municipal elected office. He said he was encouraged to run for the Princeton Council after Councilwoman Eve Niedergang announced that she would not seek re-election.
Pointing to his many years of volunteer service – from Little League coach to president of the board of McCarter Theater to sitting on the Citizens Finance Advisory Committee and, of course, the Princeton school board – McDonald said he believes that he has the knowledge, experience, time and energy to serve on the Princeton Council.
“Service has been part of my life in Princeton for three decades,” he said. “I’m deeply committed to my community and feel this is the right next step in my service to Princeton. In some ways, it also brings me back to my professional roots. My first job out of college was in municipal finance, advising states, cities and other public entities on financial matters.”
McDonald said his two terms on the school board would be helpful.
“I can be an effective advocate for greater communication and collaboration between the town and the schools,” he said. “Princeton residents want excellent services and excellent schools. Many families moved here and continue to move here because of our strong public schools.”
Asked about his goals as a Princeton councilman, McDonald said he would like to ensure that municipal services are delivered as efficiently as possible. The breadth and depth of municipal services are broad, but they come at a significant cost to the taxpayer. He said he would use his financial skills and business experience to deliver those services, while keeping tax increases as low as possible.
McDonald acknowledged that Princeton is a growing town. He wants to work with municipal officials and staff, residents and community partners to ensure that the town’s growth is smart, strategic, sustainable and respectful of what makes Princeton unique.
He would also like to see increased focus on supporting the town’s most vulnerable members – senior citizens, children and food- , housing- and financially-insecure residents. He said he would like to work with the schools, non-profit groups, community organizations and nationally renowned educational institutions to support those residents.
Finally, McDonald would like to address climate change – generating less greenhouse gases and ensuring that the natural and man-made environments harmonize as much as possible. He said his service on the Watershed Institute and Sustainable Princeton would be helpful in achieving those goals.
