Trenton mayoral race heads to December runoff as McNair finishes ahead of Gusciora
Trenton voters have made their first decision in the 2026 mayoral election, but the race for City Hall is far from over.
Corey McNair emerged as the leading vote-getter in Tuesday’s six-candidate mayoral contest, finishing ahead of incumbent Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. With neither candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote, the two will face each other again in a December 8 runoff.
The results give McNair, a first-time mayoral candidate and Trenton police detective, an opportunity to make history. For Gusciora, who has led the city since 2018, the outcome means his bid for a third term will come down to one more election.
According to the initial unofficial Mercer County results, McNair received 4,495 votes, or 37.30%, while Gusciora received 2,795 votes, or 23.19%.
Austin Edwards finished third with 1,723 votes (14.30%), followed by Jasi Edwards with 1,496 votes (12.41%). Rolando Ramos received 1,202 votes (9.971%), while Edward Forchion received 302 votes (2.51%). Write-in candidates accounted for another 39 votes.
McNair’s initial lead over Gusciora was 1,700 votes.
While the results put McNair in a strong position heading into the runoff, the next several weeks will determine whether he can turn that first-place finish into a victory. Gusciora, meanwhile, will have to persuade voters that his administration deserves another four years.
A different kind of mayoral contest
This year’s election brought together candidates with different backgrounds, experiences and ideas about what Trenton needs.
McNair campaigned on public safety, government accountability, youth intervention and greater transparency in city government. As a longtime member of the Trenton Police Department, he has made his experience in the community central to his campaign.
He has also called for stronger oversight of city contracts and greater public access to information about projects and spending, including improvements at Trenton Water Works.
Gusciora enters the runoff with the advantage of incumbency and a record he can point to. Before becoming mayor in 2018, he spent 22 years representing the 15th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly.
His administration has highlighted redevelopment efforts, increased state financial assistance and investments in water infrastructure. Economic development, public safety and continued neighborhood improvements have also been central to his agenda.
The December contest will likely put those records and proposals under an even closer microscope. Voters will have to decide whether they want to continue with the current administration or give someone new an opportunity to lead.
City Council race draws its own attention
While the mayoral contest captured much of the attention, the race for three at-large City Council seats also produced an interesting outcome.
Incumbent Councilwoman Crystal Feliciano led the field with 6,863 votes (32.82%), followed by incumbent Councilwoman Yazminelly Gonzalez, who received 5,401 votes (25.83%).
Eric McRoy received 2,389 votes (11.42%), followed by Mary Horne with 2,326 votes (11.12%). Evangeline Ugorji received 2,148 votes (10.27%), while Richa Thompson received 1,309 votes (6.26%). Write-in candidates accounted for another 475 votes.
The initial results put Feliciano and Gonzalez ahead, but the final outcome of all three seats requires confirmation through the county’s updated election returns.
The at-large contest carries additional significance because Councilwoman Jasi Edwards pursued the mayor’s office, leaving an opening on the governing body.
Following the election, Edwards took to Facebook to thank supporters and reflect on her mayoral campaign. She acknowledged her disappointment but said her commitment to Trenton would continue beyond the election.
“As a mother of daughters, I wanted them, and every young girl watching, to see that we do not have to wait for permission to lead,” Edwards wrote, reflecting on the challenges women, particularly Black women, face when seeking executive leadership.
Edwards also expressed hope that the next administration succeeds, emphasizing that the city’s progress should matter more than political differences. She said she plans to issue a public endorsement later.
“We may not have won this election, but we have not lost our purpose,” she wrote.
The issues aren’t going away
Regardless of who wins in December, the next mayor will inherit a city facing familiar challenges.
Economic development remains high on the list. Residents want to see more businesses, better employment opportunities, and investments that reach neighborhoods throughout Trenton. During the campaign, stakeholders repeatedly raised the importance of attracting larger employers, including Fortune 500 companies, while creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Public safety, vacant properties, housing conditions, youth programming, and the ongoing concerns surrounding Trenton Water Works will also require attention.
These are not new conversations for Trenton residents. They have shaped neighborhood discussions for years and will continue to influence how residents judge the city’s leadership.
The runoff will give both candidates another opportunity to explain how they intend to address those concerns. It will also give voters who supported Austin Edwards, Jasi Edwards, Rolando Ramos, and Edward Forchion a chance to reconsider their choices and decide which candidate best represents their priorities.
One more decision for Trenton voters
For Gusciora, December 8 is a chance to defend his administration’s record and show voters are willing to give him another term.
For McNair, the challenge is turning the momentum of Tuesday’s results into a broader coalition of voters willing to put their confidence in a new administration.
The first round of voting has established the two finalists. Now comes the harder part: convincing residents that they are the right person to lead New Jersey’s capital city. “I will be at any debate,” Mayor Gusciora told the Trenton Journal, referring to McNair’s absence at the last three mayoral forums.
Trenton voters will return to the polls on December 8 to decide who will lead the city.
Editor’s note: The figures in this article reflect unofficial election returns and may change as Mercer County processes outstanding ballots and completes its canvass.
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