2017 Allentown mayoral election

Summary

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]

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

Background edit

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

Campaign edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

References edit

  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.