South Ward run-off elections will continue as…
South Ward run-off elections will continue as planned despite efforts to get them canceled
Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg and Damian Malave will face off again in the South Ward run-off Dec. 13. (File Photos)
By A.Z. Johnson | Ajohnson@Trentonian.com |
PUBLISHED: December 6, 2022 at 5:35 p.m. | UPDATED: December 8, 2022 at 10:12 a.m.
TRENTON – During a court hearing Tuesday, lawyers representing South Ward candidate Damian Malave requested that the upcoming run-off elections be canceled however, this application has been denied.
This ruling came after the court decided that since run-off elections have been happening for over four decades in the city of Trenton, they should continue.
A new motion was introduced instead to challenge the use of "Figueroa" in South Ward candidate Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg's name. Lawyers representing Malave claim their client's opponent only began to use the name as an attempt to capture votes in the South Ward which is comprised primarily of those of Hispanic heritage.
"Voters in the South Ward are entitled to know the name of the candidate presenting themselves for election. Ms. Kettenburg ran for elected office in the South Ward in 2018 certifying her name as Jenna L. Kettenburg," Malave said. "This election cycle she chose to go on the ballot with the name Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg. Despite her attorney's attempts to compare Figueroa to a nickname or a maiden name, neither is the case. I've defeated Ms. Kettenburg twice and asked the court to intervene because I want the voters to be assured of a fair election."
"It's hurtful what's been done and it's made me rehash my father's passing, but I need to focus on my campaign because the people of the South Ward deserve a representative of high moral value," Kettenburg said. "I'm going to continue to illustrate my strength as a woman and remind everyone that my opponent would never pull something so cruel and unsettling like this on a man. I never attacked my opponent throughout this entire campaign, and the one time I stood up for myself, he presented himself as a victim. I hope people see him for who he truly is."
Figueroa-Kettenburg said Edwin Figueroa, her father who passed away in May 2018, made a near-death request.
"It was about two weeks before his death. He called me to his bedside and requested that I take his name," she explained.
Edwin Figueroa had never married her mother, only had a lengthy relationship.
"He raised me, been with me. He's the only father I know…..As far as I know, he's my dad," she said.
Judge Lougy will make his ruling after receiving documentation that Kettenburg has previously used the name "Figueroa".
Trenton will have run-off elections for the North and South Wards on Dec. 13 and at-large run-off elections will be held on Jan. 24.
Previous Trentonian reporting contributed to this article
A.Z. Johnson