TRENTON, NJ — December 9, 2022 – Trenton’s South Ward Candidate Damian G. Malave responded today to Judge Robert Lougy’s decision to permit his opponent to remain on the ballot using the name Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg.

“Several voters asked me how it was possible that Ms. Kettenburg was able to go on the ballot with the name Figueroa and why she ran as Jenna L. Kettenburg in 2018,” said Malave. “I decided to go to court on their behalf – as well as my own, as a Trenton South Ward voter.”

Malave said his attorney provided the court with several legal documents where Ms. Kettenburg never used the name Figueroa. Trenton City Clerk Brandon Garcia said in a memorandum that he planned to put Ms. Kettenburg on the ballot with the name matching her voting records – Jenna L. Kettenburg. He was overruled by the Mercer County Clerk.

“Apparently, it’s a lot easier to pick what name you want to use on a ballot than it is to secure a driver’s license,” Malave said. “I believe that Judge Lougy made a hasty decision because of the scheduled runoff.”

Malave pointed out that he has already defeated Kettenburg in two prior election contests and laughed at his rival’s attempts to call his actions desperate. Looking ahead to the runoff election scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, 2022, Malave believes the third time will be a charm, and that he will walk away as Trenton’s next South Ward councilman.

“My opponent and her campaign have initiated a smear campaign against me that even includes a false arrest record,” shared Malave. “I have refrained from doing the same to her. I have consistently denied any claims that I am attacking Ms. Kettenburg’s heritage or anything to do with her family background. I resent the accusation that I asked for her legal name to be on the ballot because of her gender or because I was downplaying the significance of blended families.”