List of mayors of Trenton, New Jersey facts for kids

A mayor is an important leader in a city or town. They are like the head of the city government, working to make sure everything runs smoothly for the people who live there. Mayors help decide how the city's money is spent, oversee public services like parks and roads, and work with the city council to create laws and plans for the community. They are chosen by the people through elections and play a big role in shaping what a city is like.

What Does a Mayor Do?

A mayor's job is super important! They lead the city government and make decisions that affect everyone living in the city. Think of them as the main manager for the whole city. They work with a team of people, like city council members, to make sure the city has good schools, safe streets, and fun places to go.

Key Responsibilities

Mayors have many duties. They often propose new ideas for the city, like building a new community center or improving public transportation. They also make sure that city services, such as trash collection and police protection, are working well. Mayors also represent the city when meeting with other leaders or visitors.

A Look at Trenton's Mayors

Trenton, New Jersey, has had many mayors throughout its history, each serving their community. These leaders have helped guide the city through different times, making decisions that shaped its growth and development.

Early Mayors (1792-1850)

Trenton's first mayor was Moore Furman, who served from 1792 to 1794. He was a key figure in New Jersey's early history. Another early mayor was Aaron Woodruff, who was also the Attorney General of New Jersey before becoming mayor. Many of these early leaders served for a few years, helping to establish the city's government. Robert McNealy had a very long term, serving for 18 years from 1814 to 1832!

Mid-19th Century Mayors (1850-1900)

During this time, some mayors served multiple times. For example, William Napton was mayor three separate times! This shows that sometimes leaders are chosen again by the community to continue their work. Joseph Wood was a Democratic mayor who served for three years starting in 1856. Later, Richard Grant Augustus Donnelly also served as a Democratic mayor and had been an Assemblyman before.

Mayors in the 20th Century (1900-2000)

The 20th century saw many changes in Trenton, and its mayors played a big part in those changes. Frank Obadiah Briggs was a Republican mayor who served from 1899 to 1902. One of Trenton's longest-serving mayors was Frederick William Donnelly, a Democrat who led the city for 21 years, from 1911 to 1932. This was a very long time to be in charge!

Later, Arthur J. Holland served two separate terms as mayor, first from 1959 to 1966, and then again from 1970 to 1989, making him another long-serving leader. He was a Democratic mayor and had been a City Councilman.

Recent Mayors (2000-Present)

In more recent times, Trenton has continued to elect leaders who work to improve the city. Douglas Palmer became mayor in 1990 and served for 20 years, until 2010. He was the first African-American mayor of Trenton, which was a very important moment in the city's history.

After him, Tony F. Mack served from 2010 to 2014. Then, George Muschal served a short term as an unaffiliated mayor. Eric Jackson became the third African-American mayor, serving from 2014 to 2018.

The current mayor, W. Reed Gusciora, took office on July 1, 2018. He was a New Jersey Assemblyman before becoming mayor.

Images for kids

• 

  Aaron Woodruff

• 

  Richard Grant Augustus Donnelly

• 

  Frank Obadiah Briggs

• 

  Frank Snowden Katzenbach, Jr.

• 

  Frederick William Donnelly

• 

  Arthur J. Holland

• 

  Eric Jackson

• 

  W. Reed Gusciora