Cindelle’s Bookstore to Host Plainfield City Council Candidate Debate May 21

PLAINFIELD, NJ — Cindelle's Bookstore on Tuesday announced that it will host a candidate debate featuring those vying for two city council seats in Plainfield.The debate will take place from 6:00 until 7:30pm on Thursday, May 21 at Cindelle's Bookstore at 401 Watchung Avenue. The event will not be open to the public, but will be live-streamed on the store's social media pages, including on its YouTube channel.“I know what it feels like to want to make a difference in this city and to take that leap,” said Cindelle Harris-Blackmon, who ran for city council in 2023. “I want young people, readers, residents, and everyone in Plainfield to see that civic engagement does not stop at any one moment. You keep showing up. Whether it is on the ballot or behind the mic or opening your doors, you keep showing up for your community.”Harris-Blackmon reports that all five candidates running for the two seats have been invited, and a majority have already committed to the debate, which will be moderated by former Plainfield Councilwoman Ashley Davis.Election Day is June 2, but some Plainfield residents are already voting, as vote-by-mail ballots began to arrive last week. For the first ward, incumbent Robert Graham will face Meghana “Meg” Anandarangam and Yasmin Griffin. Second and Third Ward at-large incumbent Richard Wyatt will run against Shatera Smith. Both incumbents received the endorsement of the Plainfield Democratic City Committee in June.