of the State’s recycling law to include electronic waste.

In 2014, Cotton organized the Platinum Life campaign, a $150 million project designed to help those affected by P.M.I.R resume and rebuild their lives. Until Platinum Life, people living by P.M.I.R were unable to work, vote, receive benefits, or legally marry. She saw the struggles as a civil rights issue and began building a bridge between the living and the "extended living."

Cotton also fought the State’s School’s Development Authority when it was discovered the MLK elementary school was being constructed over hazardous materials dumped by contractors.  Later, Cotton made national news when Chris Christie called her a “raging dyke” after her marriage equality bill passed the legislature. Christie claimed that the act would be too much of a social change and that she was operating solely on personal interest. 

Gusciora was born in Passaic, New Jersey.  His father, Walter, worked at the NJ Department of Health in Trenton, and the City was an integral part of Reed's childhood. As a teen attending Jamesburg public schools, he regularly worked with his family’s company, Aardvark Pest Control, and spent time visiting Trenton's museums and famous restaurants. 

Gusciora received a B.A. from The Catholic University of America in Politics and International Relations and was awarded a J.D. in 1988 from the Seton Hall University of Law. Previously, Gusciora worked as a congressional aide to the late Mike Synar (OK), a campaign aide to NJ gubernatorial candidate and Princeton mayor, Barbara Boggs Sigmund; and an attorney at Stark and Stark. Gusciora practiced personal injury, banking and labor law.  In 2007, Gusciora was appointed Assistant Prosecutor for the City of Trenton.  He then served as municipal prosecutor in Princeton, Lawrence Township and Hopewell Borough.  He also became an adjunct professor in the Political Science Department at The College of New Jersey.  He serves on the Board of Mercer ARC.

As Mayor, successfully negotiated with Governor Phil Murphy’s Administration for the return of Capital City Aid.  He has overseen the revamping of the Trenton Water Works Department and navigating the utility from water quality violations assessed by the State’s Department of Environmental Protection.  Gusciora has also consistently promoted economic development and advocates for new housing in the downtown.  The mayor was recently accepted into the 2019-2020 Bloomberg Harvard Cities Leadership Initiative program along with 40 other mayors from around the world.