The Hightstown Borough Council and mayoral political primary contests, set for June 7, will most likely be quiet ones because none of the candidates seeking their party’s nomination are facing competition.
Hightstown Borough Councilwoman Susan Bluth is the only Democratic Party nominee for mayor. Incumbent Democratic Party Mayor Lawrence Quattrone is not seeking re-election for a third term.
No one has filed to seek the Republican Party nomination for mayor.
Bluth has lived in Hightstown Borough for 17 years. She is a certified paralegal who works primarily on family law and civil litigation matters.
Bluth said she works well with her colleagues on the Borough Council. They have chosen her to lead the council as the council president for two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022.
“As Borough Council President last year, I took over the duties of mayor for several months when Mayor Quattrone was laid up. I have the passion and experience to be mayor of Hightstown Borough, and I possess excellent communication and leadership skills,” she said.
Bluth said she is not afraid to speak up and to fight for what she believes is in the best interests of the residents. She pointed to her good working relationships with the mayors of neighboring communities, the Mercer County Commissioners and state lawmakers.
Incumbent Borough Councilman Joshua Jackson and newcomer Todd Frantz also are not facing opposition in the Democratic Party primary. Borough Councilman Steve Misiura is not seeking a fourth term.
No one has filed to seek the Republican Party primary nomination to run for the two open seats.
Jackson is a lifelong resident of Hightstown and works at The Peddie School golf course.
Jackson said he is running for re-election because he believes the town has a great future. There are several major projects under way in town that he would like to see through to completion – from the redevelopment of the former rug mill to the new joint Municipal Court and and police station that is being built with Robbinsville Township.
The former Hightstown Rug Mill property is slated to be redeveloped later this year, he said. The plan calls for adapting the existing buildings to accommodate rental apartments and construction of a new multifamily apartment building. There are plans for townhouses, also.
“The new Borough Hall will serve as a permanent new facility for our borough operations and as a gathering space for our residents,” he said. The former Hightstown Borough Hall was damaged by flooding several years ago.
Frantz is a 21-year resident of Hightstown Borough. He is a senior project manager for an environmental consulting and engineering firm.
Frantz also has served on the Hightstown Borough Environmental Commission for six years, including the past two years as its chairman.
Frantz, who was approached to run for an open seat on the Borough Council, said he is excited for the next opportunity to support the community.
