With all 13 Democratic candidates now scheduled to attend, the upcoming congressional forum in Hopewell Township is shaping up to be one of the most comprehensive early opportunities for voters to hear directly from the full field competing to represent New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District.
The event, titled “The Future of CD12: A Candidate Conversation,” will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on April 22 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Washington Crossing. Hosted by the Hopewell Valley Democratic Club and moderated by MercerMe editor Seth Siditsky, the forum comes at a moment in the race following the close of the petition period and the official formation of the primary ballot.
The contest has drawn a large and diverse group of candidates seeking to succeed longtime Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who is retiring after decades in office. The open seat has become one of the closely watched primary races in the state, with candidates now shifting from ballot access to voter outreach, public forums, and issue-based campaigning.
In the lead-up to the forum, community engagement has been strong. MercerMe has received a steady stream of question submissions from residents across the district, offering a window into what local voters want to hear from candidates.
While not all questions can be asked during the limited time of the forum, and number of candidates involved, organizers say the submissions are playing a key role in shaping the discussion.
A review of those submissions shows several consistent themes emerging. Voters are asking about protecting voting rights and election integrity, how candidates would work across party lines and within a divided political landscape, and how they plan to represent the district effectively in Washington.
Other questions reflect broader concerns about political division and civic engagement, including how candidates would reach disengaged voters and build trust across communities. International issues and federal policy priorities also appear prominently among the submissions, underscoring the wide range of topics voters expect candidates to address.
“We’ve seen a strong response from the community already,” Siditsky said. “There are a lot of thoughtful questions coming in. We won’t be able to get to everything, but those submissions are helping guide the conversation and make sure the issues people care about are part of the discussion.”
The format is designed to balance the size of the field giving candidates an opportunity to address key issues while reflecting the priorities of local voters.
Following the forum, attendees will have a chance to meet candidates during a brief meet-and-greet session.
Advance registration remains open, and residents can still submit questions for consideration ahead of the event. Organizers say even with time constraints, the goal is to ensure the discussion reflects the concerns of the community.
