Princeton Dems: Look at Jachera's Experience and Partisan Activities

To the Editor:

We believe voters deserve to know as much as possible about a candidate’s record, including professional experience and partisan activities, so that they can make a fully informed choice on November 8. This certainly pertains to the contest for Mayor of Princeton Borough, where the Republican candidate says the election should be “about Princeton and not about party label” and has complained about partisan “attacks.”

The fact is that Jill Jachera chose to run as a Republican when she could have run as a nonpartisan independent. Moreover, according to the latest report filed with the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission, as of October 11, 2011, her campaign had received $2,900 from the Princeton Borough Republican Committee. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Republicans are entitled to support their candidates as vigorously as Democrats support theirs. The PCDO, for example, recently contributed $2,000 to the joint campaign of Yina Moore for Mayor and Barbara Trelstad and Heather Howard for Borough Council.

Ms. Jachera’s own political contributions demonstrate a deep commitment to Republican Party values. Just last year, she gave the maximum allowable $4,800 to support Scott Sipprelle’s attempt to unseat our Democratic congressman Rush Holt.

If Ms. Jachera or her supporters believe it is unfair to identify her partisan record, we wonder what she is ashamed of. Our Democratic candidates are proud of what our party stands for, even if we sometimes disagree on issues and how best to advance our values. Rush Holt summarized those values in a recent statement of support for the Borough Democratic ticket:

“I support the Borough candidates who have worked for equality of
opportunity, fairness for the middle class, and strengthening our diverse community:  Yina Moore, Barbara Trelstad, and Heather Howard.” – Rush Holt

Ms. Jachera's career focus has been consistent with her party's efforts to weaken unions and dilute consumer protections. Her website points to her 23 years as “a successful advocate for my clients” and states that her “practice was devoted to the representation of management in employment matters” – most recently at a prominent law firm that is best known for helping employers curtail workers’ rights. 

Ms. Jachera’s public involvement with local government prior to her candidacy appears to be limited to opposing the creation of a historic district that includes her home in the Western section of the Borough.

Interestingly, most of the large individual donations to her campaign ($2,500 to $2,600 each) come from a few of her neighbors who also oppose historic designation. 

Candidates should run on their records and justify their affiliations – not run away from them. The press also has an obligation to investigate the facts, not simply to report gossip. We believe that Yina Moore’s record is far more in step with the progressive Democratic values that most Princeton voters expect from a mayor: Accountable government, sensible budgets, fair taxation, strong public education, sustainability, affordable housing, worker and consumer rights, and public services for those who need them the most.


Dan Preston, President, Princeton Community Democratic Organization 
Peter Wolanin, Chair, Princeton Borough Democratic Committee
Jon Durbin, Chair, Princeton Township Democratic Committee