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2017 Allentown mayoral election

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Candidate Ed Pawlowski Nat Hyman
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 4,758 4,440
Percentage 39.37% 36.74%

Results by precinct
Pawlowski:      30–40%      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Hyman:     30–40%      40-50%      50–60%
Tie:     30–40%

Mayor before election

Ed Pawlowski
Democratic

Elected Mayor

Ed Pawlowski
Democratic

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. [1] [2] [3]

Background

Pawlowski was seeking his fourth term as Mayor, having been first elected in 2005. [1]

Campaign

The Republican nominee was Nat Hyman, a jeweler and real estate developer. [4] Hyman was the first Republican candidate to make an Allentown mayoral election competitive in a decade. [1] Common Sense Independent Party candidate John Richard Ingram, also a real estate developer, and Solomon Tembo, the candidate of the King Solomon Tembo party, were also on the ballot. [4] [5] Ray O'Connell, the president of the Allentown City Council, also ran as a write-in candidate. [4] [5] O'Connell; Siobhan "Sam" Bennett, who had been upset in the 2005 and the 2001 democratic primaries; Lehigh County Commissioner David Jones; Joshua Siegel; Charlie Thiel, a member of the Allentown school board; and Nathan Woodring also sought the Democratic Party nomination. [6] [7] Luiz Garcia also sought the Republican nomination. [7]

No debates were held during the election; instead the candidates engaged in retail politics. Pawlowski worked to increase turnout among Allentown's Hispanic and Syrian populations. [8]

In July 2017 Pawlowski was the subject of a 54-count indictment that alleged that he conspired to provide municipal contracts in return for campaign contributions, dinners and tickets to sports events. [1]

Results

Mayor of Allentown, Democratic primary, 2017 [9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ed Pawlowski (incumbent) 1,702 28.20%
Democratic Ray O'Connell 1,377 22.82%
Democratic Charles F. Thiel 1,333 22.09%
Democratic Siobhan Sam Bennett 719 11.91%
Democratic David Jones 575 9.53%
Democratic Joshua Siegel 295 4.89%
Democratic Nathan L. Woodring 34 0.56%
Total votes 6,035 100.00%
Mayor of Allentown, Republican primary, 2017 [9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Nat Hyman 1,464 68.32%
Republican Luiz Garcia 679 31.68%
Total votes 2,143 100.00%
Mayor of Allentown, 2017 general election [9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ed Pawlowski (incumbent) 4,758 39.37%
Republican Nat Hyman 4,440 36.74%
Independent John Richard Ingram 489 4.05%
Independent Solomon Tembo 200 1.65%
write-ins 2,199 18.19%
Total votes 12,086 100.00%
Democratic hold

Aftermath

Pawlowski resigned in March 2018 following his conviction on corruption charges. [10] The City Council selected O'Connell to succeed Pawlowski later that month. [11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Opilo, Emily (November 8, 2017). "Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski wins fourth term despite charges". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  2. ^ John-Hall, Annette (November 9, 2017). "Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, facing 54-count indictment, wins a fourth term". WHYY. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  3. ^ "Indicted Pennsylvania mayor elected to fourth term". The Washington Times. November 7, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Bresswein, Kurt (November 8, 2017). "Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski re-elected despite indictment". The Express-Times. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Hogan, Alexandra (November 7, 2017). "5 candidates vying for Allentown mayor". 69 News. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  6. ^ Cassi, Sarah (May 17, 2017). "Allentown mayor's race: Pawlowski claims victory for Democratic nod". The Express-Times. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Opilo, Emily (May 17, 2017). "Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski survives primary challenge". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  8. ^ Opilo, Emily; Radzievich, Nicole (November 5, 2017). "Part barnburner, part sleeper, Allentown mayoral race leaves the door open". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  9. ^ a b c "Lehigh County Election Results". Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  10. ^ "Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski Officially Resigns Following Federal Corruption Conviction". NBC Philadelphia. March 8, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  11. ^ Opilo, Emily (March 29, 2018). "Ray O'Connell picked as Allentown mayor after 12 rounds of voting". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 19, 2018.