Pennsylvania’s municipal primary election is a week from Tuesday and some of the most important races take place for mayor of Keystone State cities, boroughs and towns.

PoliticsPA will count down to the May 20 election by previewing the key races throughout the Commonwealth.

• May 12: Scranton
• May 13: Allentown
• May 14: Harrisburg
• May 15: Erie
• May 16: Pittsburgh
• May 19: Lancaster
• May 20: Bethlehem

Today, we take a look at the mayoral race in Allentown, the state’s third-largest city with 125,000 residents.

Incumbent Matt Tuerk is running for a second term and faces a Democratic primary challenge from Allentown City Council member Ed Zucal. There are no Republicans on the ballot.

Matt Tuerk

• Party: Democrat
• Experience: Mayor, City of Allentown (2022-present); Principal, Equitable Development LLC (2020-21); Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (2013-20); Allentown Economic Development Corporation (2008-13); Controller, Panamerican Management (2004-08).
• Priorities: Trust the People to deliver solutions to our toughest problems; Do Better Together when we work with our partners across the region and resist the temptation to go it alone; Make a better Allentown for All when we give love to every neighborhood and every community in our City; A committed Leader with the experience to hit the ground running and the enthusiasm to bring it every day; Improving organizational efficiency and how that will help make Allentown Open for Business.
• Education: B.S., College of Charleston ’02; MBA, University of South Carolina ’04
• Quotable: “I will continue to bring a fresh voice to City Hall, maintaining a focus on the power of partnerships and building coalitions, not tearing it down and trying to build it back up. Our government will continue to be run effectively and efficiently, serving all of Allentown’s residents and reflecting the incredible diversity of the city.”
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Ed Zucal

• Party: Democrat
• Experience: Allentown City Councilman. Deputy Lehigh County Coroner. Retired Allentown City Police Sergeant.
• Priorities: Open Door Policy for employees and citizens; Restore trust and transparency; Exercise fiscal restraint and avoid tax increases; Ensure accountability to the citizens of Allentown; Return to a community policing policy; Intervene on behalf of youth in the city
• Education: Penn State
• Quotable: “As a lifelong Allentownian, I’m tired of seeing our residents get ignored. It’s time to get back to basics, put residents first, and deliver results for the people of Allentown.”
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Media

• Allentown Mayor holds presser ahead of primary election, opponent hits back saying city is ”at a crossroads” | WFMZ
• Democratic candidate for Allentown mayor seeks Republican write-ins, could set up fall rematch | Morning Call
• Allentown mayor hits out at challenger’s ‘MAGA-style politics’ a week before Democratic primary | LehighValleyNews
• Democrats Tuerk, Zucal face off in only Allentown mayoral debate | Armchair Lehigh Valley
• Tuerk, Zucal go head-to-head in only Allentown mayoral debate ahead of primary | WFMZ
• Zucal says he’d replace Allentown police chief if elected mayor, chief responds | LehighValleyNews
• Housing, DEI, taxes and future of police leadership: Takeaways as candidates for Allentown mayor meet in first debate | Morning Call

Debate