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 Results by precinct O'Connell: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | ||||||||||||||||
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The Allentown 2019 special mayoral election was held on May 19, 2019, following the resignation of Democratic mayor Ed Pawlowski. Incumbent interim Democratic mayor Ray O'Connell defeated Republican challenger Timothy Ramos. [1]
During the 2017 Allentown mayoral election, three-term mayor Ed Pawlowski was indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and faced fifty-four charges, including multiple counts of conspiracy, bribery, attempted extortion, making false statements to federal officials, mail fraud, and wire fraud with some charges dating as far back as 2012. [2] He refused to step down or stop campaigning for his fourth term as mayor. [3] He narrowly won the election, 39.37% to his Republican challenger's 36.74% with write in votes for city councilman Ray O'Connell reaching roughly 18%. [4]
Pawlowski was then found guilty on forty-seven charges shortly after the election on March 1, 2018. Forced to resign as mayor on March 9, 2018, he was sentenced to twenty years in federal prison. [5]
With the office of mayor vacant, a special election was held to fill the seat. Councilman Ray O'Connell was appointed interim mayor by the city council until the election. [6]
There was only one primary, the Democratic primary, because Republican Tim Ramos ran unopposed. There were four Democratic candidates: [7]
Interim mayor O'Connell successfully defeated his three primary challengers, gaining 53% of the vote and advancing to the general election. He then defeated Republican challenger Ramos 66.73% to 32.99%. [1] [8] [9] [10] [11]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ray O'Connell (incumbent) | 2,608 | 53.0% | |
| Democratic | Cheryl Johnson-Watts | 1,215 | 24.7% | |
| Democratic | Patrick Palmer | 641 | 13.0% | |
| Democratic | Michael Daniels | 457 | 9.3% | |
| Total votes | 4,921 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ray O'Connell | 8,315 | 66.73% | |
| Republican | Timothy Ramos | 4,111 | 32.99% | |
| N/A | Write-ins | 34 | 0.27% | |
| Total votes | 12,460 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
The Morning Call is a daily newspaper in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1883, it is the second-longest continuously published newspaper in the Lehigh Valley, after The Express-Times. The newspaper is owned by Alden Global Capital, a New York City–based hedge fund.
The city of Allentown, Pennsylvania was founded in 1762 as Northampton Towne by William Allen, a wealthy shipping merchant.
Edwin Everett Pawlowski is an American politician who served as the 41st Mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania. He held the office from 2006 until his resignation in 2018, following his election to a fourth term in 2017. He resigned after being convicted on 47 federal charges related to corruption as mayor of Allentown.
In American politics, cross-filing occurs when a candidate runs in the primary election of not only their own party, but also that of one or more other parties, generally in the hope of reducing or eliminating their competition at the general election. It was in effect in California from 1913 to 1959, when it was abolished, and has been used in other states, most significantly in New York and New Hampshire, where it is still in effect.
Roger MacLean is an American police officer and politician who was president of the Allentown, Pennsylvania City Council and served as acting Allentown mayor until March 29, 2018. MacLean became the acting mayor on March 9, 2018 following the resignation of Ed Pawlowski, who was convicted on March 1, 2018 on 47 felony charges related to a pay-to-play scheme involving his asking for campaign donations in exchange for city contracts and favors.
Ray O'Connell is an American politician who served as the 42nd Mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania. He assumed the office on March 29, 2018 following the resignation of former mayor Ed Pawlowski.
Susan Wild is an American lawyer and politician from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A Democrat, she is a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district. The district is in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, and includes Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and Bangor. Wild spent the last two months of 2018 as the member for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district after Charlie Dent resigned in 2018. She also co-chairs the New Democrat Coalition Climate Change Task Force and is vice chair of both the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations. Wild is the first woman to represent the Lehigh Valley in Congress. Wild lost her re-election bid in 2024 to Republican Ryan Mackenzie.
The 2017 mayoral election in Allentown, Pennsylvania was held on November 7, 2017, and resulted in the incumbent mayor Ed Pawlowski, a member of the Democratic Party, being re-elected to a fourth term over Republican Party candidate Nat Hyman.
The 2021 mayoral election in Allentown, Pennsylvania was held on November 2, 2021. The primary election was held on May 18, 2021.
Matthew Tuerk is an American politician and economic development official serving as the mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania since January 2022. Despite entering a crowded field with low name recognition, he was the first candidate to defeat an incumbent mayor in an Allentown primary since 1973, becoming the city's first Latino mayor.
Gregory James Edwards is an American minister, clergyman, community activist, progressive politician, and author.
J. William "Willie" Reynolds is an American politician. He served as a city councilman of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania from 2008 until 2022 and is currently the city's 12th and incumbent mayor. His term began in 2022 which is set to expire in 2026. He is eligible to stand for re-election.
Joshua Siegel is an American politician who is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party, he represents the 22nd district, which contains parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township.
Salvatore J. Panto Jr. is an American politician from Pennsylvania who is the current mayor of Easton, Pennsylvania, and has served for seven non-consecutive terms. First for two terms from 1984-1992, and another four terms from 2008 to present.
The 2013 mayoral election in Allentown, Pennsylvania was held on November 5, 2013, and resulted in the incumbent mayor Ed Pawlowski, a member of the Democratic Party, being re-elected to a third term over Independent candidate William Michael Donovan.
The 2009 mayoral election in Allentown, Pennsylvania was held on November 3, 2009, and resulted in the incumbent mayor Ed Pawlowski, a member of the Democratic Party, being re-elected to a second term over Republican Party candidate Tony Phillips.
The 2005 mayoral election in Allentown, Pennsylvania was held on November 8, 2005, and resulted in the Democrat Ed Pawlowski, being elected to his first of four terms over Republican challenger and former mayor, William L Heydt.
The 2001 mayoral election in Allentown, Pennsylvania was held on November 6, 2001, and resulted in the Democrat and former state senator Roy Afflerbach, being elected over Republican challenger and businessman, Bob Lovett. Since this election there has never been a Republican mayor of Allentown.
Thomas Fredric Goldsmith was an American politician who served as Republican mayor of Easton, Pennsylvania from 1993 until his resignation in 2003 to serve on the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board until 2011.
The 1997 mayoral election in Allentown, Pennsylvania was held on November 4, 1997, and resulted in the Republican incumbent mayor William L. Heydt defeating Democratic challenger and city councilmen Martin Velazquez III. This election is remembered for its razor thin margin for the Democratic primary which saw Velazquez win by a singular vote against Emma Tropiano after a lengthy and hotly contested recount.
