This is the third part of our series highlighting the most significant mayoral races in the commonwealth.
The race for Allentown mayor was apparently decided in the May primary while he was in office Matt Turk easily defeated the Democratic challenger Ed Zucal. However, the Allentown city councilor received enough write-in votes on the Republican side to secure the nomination. “The Republicans had enough trust to write me in, it doesn’t change the person I am, and also the Democrats who wrote me in, I’m still the same person. I can’t wait to represent the Republicans in November,” Zucal said.
Matt Turek (D)
- Basic: defeated Ed Zucal, 80.6% – 19.4%
- Experience: Mayor of Allentown (from 2022); Director, Equitable Development LLC (2020-21); Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (2013–2020); Allentown Economic Development Corporation (2008–2013); Controller, Panamerican Management (2004-08).
- Priorities.
- Vision and Energy. Empower Allentown residents and engage with regional partners to ensure equitable economic growth through energetic leadership.
- Trust people. Our city faces unique challenges, and solutions to these problems should come from the people who understand them best: Allentonians.
- Better together. Collaborate with our partners across the region and resist the temptation to go it alone.
- Allentown for everyone. Give love to every neighborhood and community in our City.
- Open for business. Improve organizational efficiency
- Education: B.S., College of Charleston ’02; M.B.A., University of South Carolina ’04
- Cufflinks: : Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Ed Zucal (right)
- Basic: Lost to Matt Tuerk in the Democratic primary. He received 499 write-in votes to receive the Republican nomination.
- Experience: Allentown City Councilman. Lehigh County Deputy Coroner. Retired City of Allentown Police Sgt.
- Priorities.
- Restoring trust. Given the special interests that cut across the front lines when it comes to access to the city’s leadership.
- Fiscal responsibility. Work to restore common sense to city budgeting and protect taxpayers from unnecessary tax increases.
- Responsibility. He will not avoid tough questions and will always take responsibility.
- Community policing. Return Allentown to a community policing model and prioritize addressing quality of life issues that lead to much more grave crimes.
- Education: Penn State
- Cufflinks: : Website
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