Wilkes Urges Democratic Party Unity, Says Next Project is Preservation of Paul Robeson’s Boyhood Home

Princeton Borough Councilman Kevin Wilkes has vowed to continue working to realize the full potential of municipal consolidation and has called for all Princeton Democrats to unite behind mayoral nominee Liz Lempert and the entire Democratic slate for November’s general election. Lempert defeated Wilkes in the Democratic mayoral primary Tuesday.

“The consolidation of the two Princetons is of paramount importance,” Wilkes said. “With Tuesday’s primary election, Princeton Democrats have spoken and I want to offer my congratulations to Liz. I will now devote my energies to ensuring that consolidation and our future in Princeton is filled with all of the hopes and promises that we have campaigned for. I pledge my commitment to helping our Party achieve this goal come November’s general election.”

Wilkes, who owns the local design-build business Princeton Design Guild, is also an active community volunteer. He said after his term is complete he would take a little break from politics to focus on his business, but that he will always remain involved in the town.

“I will next focus on restoring and preparing Paul Robeson’s boyhood home on the corner of Green and Witherspoon to open as a community resource center that will honor the legacy of Paul Robeson while promoting public good throughout and beyond the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood,” Wilkes said. “This project has been in the planning stages for four years, it is now time to get the hard work of fundraising and construction underway.”

“I look forward to continuing to be an active and engaged member of this wonderful community and I will continue to serve in any way I can,” he said, “I’d like to thank all of my friends, supporters, staff, and volunteers who have given me so much of their time and energy over these past couple of months. I am forever grateful.”