Speculation that Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson will not seek re-election to a second term, first reported by InsiderNJ, has led some Democratic insiders to quickly build a short list to replace him: Councilwoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson, the Mercer County Democratic Chair; Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Trenton); businessman Paul Perez, who lost to Jackson four years ago; and Councilman Alex Bethea.
Jackson won in 2014 after defeating Perez in a runoff by a 55%-45% margin. In the May election, he won 30% against Perez (22%), Walker Worthy (15.5%), James Golden (15%), and two others.
Jackson has not yet formed a re-election campaign committee, according to reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.