South Ward Council Candidate Received More Votes Than His Opponent for the Second Time

TRENTON, NJ — November 27, 2022 – The labor union representing thousands of Mercer County workers has endorsed Damian G. Malave in the runoff race for City Council in Trenton’s South Ward scheduled
for December 13ᵗʰ.

“We need representation for our Hispanic community here in the City of Trenton,” said Ronald
McMullen, President of AFSCME NJ at AFSCME Council 63. “Damian Malave is that man to be the representation for the Hispanic community in the City of Trenton.”

When asked, McMullen said AFSCME has 1100 city workers, and close to 2,000 county workers. There are also 1300 state workers in the area.

Malave, who works for the Mercer County Parks Commission said that as a proud member of the AFSCME Local 2287, he is extremely grateful for the endorsement from the labor union.

AFSCME previously presented Malave with a donation during the General Election.

Trenton Clerk Brandon Garcia conducted a ballot draw this past Friday for the South Ward runoff elections scheduled for December 13ᵗʰ. Just as in the General Election, Malave was selected to the
number one position on the ballot.

The City of Trenton has traditionally conducted runoff elections in the absence of ward candidates not exceeding 50% of the vote in the General Election.

Malave has faced off against Kettenburg two
times, and decisively defeated her each time.
In the 2022 General Election, the Mercer County Clerk certified the election results as
follows:

Malave 513, or 47.77% of the total vote Ugorgi 105, or 9.78% of the total vote. Kettenburg 456, or 42.46% of the total vote

Malave reflected back to his first race against Kettenburg for the South Ward council seat,
when he made it to the runoffs, and she did not.

“I received significantly more votes in my 2018 race against Jenna L. Kettenburg,” shared Damian G. Malave. “This time, I also soundly defeated her, when she chose to run under a different name, as Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg in the General Election.”

“My goal is not to play name games with the South Ward’s voters,” Malave continued. “I’m
here to make a difference – as one of us – for all of us.”