This is the fourth part of our series presenting the most essential mayoral races in the Commonwealth.
After winning decisively in the Democratic primary in May Jaime ArroyoA two-term City Council member, he appears poised to become mayor of Lancaster, but it won’t be a walk in the park. Candidate of the Green Party Tony Dastra and independent Woody Chandler they are Arroyo’s opponents.
Jaime Arroyo (no)
- Experience: Deputy Leader of Lancaster City Council (from 2024); CEO of ASSETS (from 2022); Chief Strategy Officer, Community Action Partnership (2020-22)
- Priorities
- Promoting equitable growth, empowering miniature businesses and creating opportunities that strengthen our community
- We are guided by honesty, responsibility and actions aimed at meeting the needs of every resident and building trust in the future of our city
- Ensuring protected streets, quality housing and a community where every person has the tools they need to succeed.
- Education: B.S., Millersville University ’10; M.B.A., Drexel University ’16
- Quotable: “I believe in the future of this city. We need a mayor who can bring people together, make wise choices and help ensure that progress reaches everyone. We need a mayor you can trust. We need a mayor who will show up.”
- Cufflinks: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Tony Dastra (G)
- Experience: Works for the City of Lancaster Public Works Department on GIS mapping, stormwater, traffic and grants. It is also responsible for public transport channels.
- Priorities
- Build more housing and fight for rent stabilization
- Create a city-wide composting system
- Reform the municipal police
- Education: B.S., Arizona State University ’17
- Quotable: “Anyone who continues to maintain the criticism that ‘this guy is too young and too inexperienced to know what he’s doing in this position’ is simply lying to himself to feel better about making a bad choice in November.”
- Cufflinks: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
J. S. “Woody” Chandler (owner)
- Experience: Retired high school English teacher, Lancaster School District. Navy veteran
- Priorities
- Reduce speeding to protect pedestrians
- He wants to meet with southeast neighborhood residents to address their concerns after many people said their quadrant was overlooked by city officials.
- Education: B.A., University of Pittsburgh ’02; M.A., University of Pittsburgh ’03
- Quotable: “The whole idea of the democratic process is that there is more than one choice.”
- Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
