Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson will not seek re-election to a second term, he announced Friday. The same day, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Trenton) announced he would be seeking the office.
Jackson, a Democrat, did not say what he would be doing after leaving office, but told NJ Advance Media after his announcement that he has not accepted any role in Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration, according to NJ.com.
Other possible replacements include businessman Paul Perez, who lost to Jackson in 2014, as well as Councilman Alex Bethea and newcomer Michael Silvestri. The three have all formally announced their candidacy, NJ.com reported.
Gusciora, who has served in the Assembly since 1996, would be Trenton’s first openly gay mayor if elected, according to the Trentonian.
Jackson said the decision not to run again was personal, and not political, according to reports.
Jackson has been involved in, among other things, the creation of the Greater Trenton nonprofit focused on economic development projects in the city.
