The CD-12 contest to succeed U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman contains at least one game and credible Democratic Party candidate from each of the four counties in the Plus 13 Democratic district.

Watson Coleman announced her retirement earlier this week.

The jockeying contenders in the race include:

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson (D-15) of Mercer (total pop. of residents living in the

seven CD-12 towns: 210,545:

A veteran lawmaker from the state's capital city (the most municipality in the 12th District), former Trenton City Councilwoman with deep family roots in the country's history and struggle for justice. Reynolds-Jackson backed the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New Jersey. Daughter of a Vietnam War veteran father and union organizer mother. Said to have Mercer County behind her. Said to be in a strong position to receive a key endorsement from African American Ministers.

County Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson of Somerset (total pop. of residents living in the ten [or portions of ten] Somerset towns in the 12th: 179,037)

The daughter of a Vietnam War veteran and granddaughter of a WWII and Korean war veteran, Robinson served two tours as an Air Force mechanic, working for the most part on the A-10 Warthog.

First elected commissioner in 2018 and reelected in 2021, Robinson experienced the ground zero impact of Hurricane Ida, which, on the heels of COVID-19, devastated Somerset County and again revealed system unreadiness and inadequacy. Said to have Somerset behind her. Possesses strong support from faith leaders.

East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, Middlesex, (total pop. of the 14 [or portions of 14] towns in the

12th: 312,012:

First elected to the mayor's office in November of 2016. Former member of the East Brunswick Board of Education.  Named Board President in 2014 and helped to select the new Superintendent of Schools. Thirty-year resident of East Brunswick. Practicing gynecologist and part of St. Peter’s Physician Associates. Strong support in Middlesex.

Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp of Union (total pop. 54,586 in Plainfield, the only Union municipality in the 12th Congressional District):

First sworn into office as the Mayor of Plainfield on January 1, 2014, Mapp is a leading and progressive Democrat whose inclusionary agenda has brought people together and ignited The City of Plainfield's renaissance.

Prior to leading Plainfield, the mayor served 12 years on the City Council, and as Union County Freeholder from 2005 to 2007. Former leader of the resistance movement New Democrats, who first sprang to citywide victory in 2013, Mapp campaigned with Mikie Sherrill on Election Day.

Robinson and Cohen have formally entered the contest.

Mapp is making phone calls and right now determining the efficacy of pursuing a run. 

Reynolds-Jackson is said to be imminently in the contest.