For the first time since the early 1990s, the mayor’s gavel went to a new person in Plainsboro Township.
Peter Cantu, 84, who has served as an elected member of township committee since the 1970s, announced in December that he was taking his hat out of the ring as a choice for township mayor.
He did say that he will continue to serve as a member of Township Committee until his term ends in December 2026.
Gov. Phil Murphy was on hand at the township reorganization meeting on Jan. 2 to recognize Cantu’s tenure as New Jersey’s longest-serving mayor.
“Great evening in Plainsboro celebrating… Peter Cantu, who has selflessly served his community for the past 50 years,” said Murphy in a social media post. “Congratulations on an amazing run—and good luck with your remaining two years on the Plainsboro Township Committee.”
Also at the meeting was Princeton Mayor Mark Freda. In a social media post he commended Cantu for his years of service, and for the meeting the challenges of seeing the construction of a massive amount of housing and commercial space during his years.
“What an achievement having guided the growth of Plainsboro over that time span,” Freda said.
Cantu has also been noted for his proficiency as a skilled negtiator. During his professional career he was a land procurement specialist for IBM.
One townhip official—former Administrator Patrick Guilfoyle—said that Cantu was “one of the most skilled and talented government officials I’ve ever worked with.”
Under Plainsboro form of government, the mayor is not directly elected by residents. The governing body—the five-member Township Committee—has both has both administrative and legislative powers. Each year the members of the Committee elect the mayor, who also acts as the presiding officer at meetings.
For 44 of the last 50 years, Cantu has been that man. The last time that Cantu, a Democrat, was not selected mayor was in 1992, when Democrats were voted out of office en masse as a backlash against a tax increase implimented by then-Gov. Jim Florio.
Some members of township staff at the time lamented the election result, with one calling it, “a sad day for Plainsboro.”
The GOP had a majority for two years and a Republican served as mayor. After that the Democrats regained control and Cantu was again named mayor. He has served in the role ever since.
Cantu’s decision took effect during reorganization. At the meeting, Ed Yates was sworn in as the new mayor and David Bander as the new deputy mayor.
“I am happy to assist in the transition in any way possible,” Cantu said in a statement annoncing his decision. “I have full confidence that my colleagues will agree upon a highly qualified and dedicated individual to become mayor who will work with township committee members to keep the town moving forward with its vibrant and successful economic, cultural, health and educational initiatives.”
Cantu said his decision to step back is not due to health concerns or personal issues but is a reflection of his desire to lessen his responsibilities.
“At the age of 84, I feel it is time for me to back away from the considerable day-to-day mayoral responsibilities and demands,” Cantu said. “This is a job to which I have devoted enormous time and energy—as has my wife of 63 years, Gale Cantu, who has been with me on this incredible journey every step of the way.”
Gov. Phil Murphy (left) with Plainsboro’s Peter Cantu at the township’s annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, 2025. For the first time in more than three decades Cantu is not mayor. ,
