BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Incumbent Mayor J. William Reynolds cruised to victory over Grace Crampsie Smith in the Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday, according to unofficial election results.
Reynolds stopped short of declaring victory, but held a comfortable lead late Tuesday in Northampton and Lehigh counties.
He owned 65% of the vote in Northampton County with all precincts counted, according to unofficial returns. His margin of victory was even greater in Lehigh County — 67% — with all city precincts accounted for.
“I think that the results today show that idea of how we do things in Bethlehem is gaining popularity ... "J. William Reynolds
Reynolds said in a phone call with LehighValleyNews.com that he wanted to continue working at making housing more attainable and affordable, investing in public safety, creating jobs and supporting improvements to the city's parks and streets.
“I think that the results today show that idea of how we do things in Bethlehem is gaining popularity, and more and more believers are carrying that mission with them in thinking about how you build a community that’s open to everyone,” said Reynolds, who is seeking a second term.
He spent Election Day alongside his wife, Natalie, and their young son, Leo.
In 2007, Reynolds was the youngest person in Bethlehem history to be elected to city council, also serving as president of the panel in his time.
He was elected as Bethlehem's 14th mayor mayor in 2021.
'Just grateful'
Hosting an evening watch party with about 50 guests at United Steelworkers of America Union Hall, 53 E. Lehigh St., Crampsie Smith was greeted with a round of applause and plenty of hugs when she arrived after 9 p.m.
In a phone interview following the event, Crampsie Smith said she's "just grateful."
“I [ran] because I felt a duty to and I will not back down from that. It wasn’t about me; it was about doing what’s best for the city.Grace Crampsie Smith
“I [ran] because I felt a duty to and I will not back down from that," she said. “It wasn’t about me; it was about doing what’s best for the city.
"I’m just grateful for everyone that supported me.”
Crampsie Smith, a retired Easton Area High School counselor for two decades, was elected to Bethlehem City Council in 2019. She was vice president of the panel from 2022-24.
She currently chairs the Public Works Committee, and also serves with the finance and community development committees.
No Republicans ran for mayor on the GOP ticket. That means Reynolds is all but assured re-election in the November general election.
Bethlehem City Council unofficial results
Six candidates, all Democrats, vied for four open seats on Bethlehem City Council.
As of about 11:30 p.m., the top four vote-getters across Northampton and Lehigh counties included:
- Incumbent Rachel Leon (4,425)
- Incumbent Hillary Kwiatek (4,247)
- Justin Amann (4,061)
- Jo Daniels (3,283)
Candidates Tina Cantelmi and Celeste Dee appeared to have brought in 3,198 and 2,781 votes, respectively.
Only one Republican ran on the GOP ticket, Joseph F. Poplawski. His name will be on the November ballot with the top four Democratic vote-getters.
