ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The race for Allentown mayor looks set to continue through November’s general election.
Councilman Ed Zucal, a Democrat, on Friday afternoon declared victory in the Republican primary for mayor after picking up almost 500 write-in votes.
He needed at least 100 write-in votes and more than Tuerk to claim the Republican nomination. The incumbent earned 114 votes.
“I’m still alive."Ed Zucal
Those totals still must be certified by the Lehigh County Election Board.
Zucal lost the Democratic primary to Mayor Matt Tuerk by an 80%-20% margin.
“Although we fell short on Tuesday on the Democratic side, we still won,” Zucal posted on his Facebook page. “I’m still alive."
He thanked Republican voters for their “overwhelming support” and said he plans to speak with leaders of the local party about how to proceed with his campaign as a registered Democrat.
Party backing, funding hurdles
Zucal, a former Allentown police officer and current school security guard, would lose a major source of potential campaign funding without Lehigh County Republicans’ backing.
He had about $31,000 in his campaign coffers as of April 30, according to the most recent finance reports that are available.
Tuerk had just under $33,000 but will have support from the Lehigh County Democratic Party.
The next five months of the race will be won through “direct voter contact, which is what I'm really good at and my opponent can't match.”Matt Tuerk
The Republican Party could focus its finances on the race for Lehigh County executive, in which former Allentown Police Chief Roger MacLean faces Democratic state Rep. Josh Siegel.
MacLean and Mike Walsh spent less than $20,000 combined in their contest for the Republican nomination.
MacLean had little left in his coffers by the end of April, though, while Siegel's campaign had more than $180,000 to spend, campaign finance reports showed.
Siegel ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Lehigh County executive.
Local Republican leaders are expected to meet next week to discuss outcomes in Tuesday's primary, including Zucal's write-in victory.
Tuerk said he will look to improve turnout in November by focusing on registered voters who didn't cast a ballot in the primary.
The next five months of the race will be won through “direct voter contact, which is what I'm really good at and my opponent can't match," Tuerk said.
