Election Profile: Leighton Newlin For Princeton Council

PRINCETON, NJ — Two Council seats are up for grabs in the upcoming elections in Princeton, and two Democrats have filed their nominations. This is an uncontested primary.

Councilman Dwaine Williamson will not be seeking reelection. Instead, Leighton Newlin has filed nomination papers.

If you’re a Princeton resident, chances are you already know Newlin. He serves on the Board of the Witherspoon-Jackson Historic and Cultural Society, the Paul Robeson House, and is the co-chair of the Witherspoon Jackson Neighborhood Association

Newlin was the previous Chair of the Princeton Housing Authority and on the Board of Commissioners. He is a longtime Princeton resident who lives with his “soulmate” and has two children and five grandchildren.

Read more about his plans for Princeton in this Patch Q&A:

Why are you seeking elected office?

The opportunity to represent the 31,000 people who live in Princeton is an honor and a challenge that must be met with purpose, and with the seriousness of the impact of the decisions that will be made as our town grows into, if we are honest, an uncertain future. Our nation is splintered because too many of us are silent, and our town is not all that it can be because not enough of us who do care, exhibit that care in ways that work and produce needed change in critical areas.

I want to know more, to be better, more accountable, and more representative of all Princetonians. My goal is to leverage our vast resources and intellect to help Princeton become a template for the town or small city of the future. A town that is equitable for all and is colorful in both the faces of the people who live here as well as in their attitudes towards one another. A place where all levels of income are represented and where people who work here can afford to live here and remain here throughout retirement.

What is the single most pressing issue facing Princeton?

I do not believe there is a “single most pressing issue” facing Princeton. Our future and its success will depend on how we prepare for and facilitate smart growth. We must accommodate our growing population and work to provide affordable housing and the infrastructure to support our growth. Our ability to build a broad infrastructure of care centered around human and social services, education, public safety (not law enforcement), culture, the uniqueness of our town’s history and the arts will be central in Princeton building greater equity and access for all who live here.

What's your take on redevelopment in Princeton?

Redevelopment in our town is mandated by Fairshare Housing and will impact many neighborhoods and residents throughout Princeton. While growth can be a painful process, if it’s done correctly, it can be very rewarding when complete. As Princeton fulfills its affordable housing obligation, it should do so with a strong marketing plan that is centered around mixed-income, and diversity.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you can handle this job?

I have represented the Princeton Housing Authority as a Commissioner for the past 24 years - 19 as Chair of the Board. I have been a community activist and a community builder since returning to Princeton in 1996. I am co-chair of the Witherspoon Jackson Neighborhood Association and I worked with 7 other committed individuals between 2014 and 2016 to help the Witherspoon Jackson Neighborhood become Princeton’s 20th Historic District. I am an entrepreneur who owned and operated two boutique stores in Massachusetts. I left Community Education Centers/The GEO Group in March 2020 after 24 years as Director of Special Services. In this capacity, I worked in a residential community release program to assist individuals in the custody of the NJ Department of Corrections prepare to re-enter/re-integrate back into society. I am a member of the PDMC and a committeeman in District 9.

The best advice ever shared with me was...

The quote, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I will look at issues, decisions, policies, programs, and processes through a wide-angle lens that encompasses equity, access, and social justice. I will continue to ask the question, “Is it right for the people and does it make sense?”

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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