ALLENTOWN, Pa. — It’s campaign season once again in Allentown, just days after the end of the 2024 general election in which the city found itself in the national spotlight.
Allentown City Councilman Ed Zucal soon will throw his hat into the race for mayor, challenging incumbent Matt Tuerk, who is looking to win to a second term in next spring’s municipal primary.
Both Zucal and Tuerk are expected to run as Democrats.
“Join me for my official announcement and first fundraising event as I run to be your next mayor."Allentown City Councilman Ed Zucal on a campaign announcement flyer
Zucal on Friday distributed advertisements for his official campaign announcement and fundraising event Nov. 18 at Ritz Barbecue and Allentown Fairgrounds Hotel.
Those advertisements confirm Zucal’s run for mayor, which has long been expected. LehighValleyNews.com first reported Zucal’s potential campaign in June.
“Join me for my official announcement and first fundraising event as I run to be your next mayor,” the ad says under a banner that reads, “Ed Zucal for Mayor.”
The councilman seems to have adopted a slogan for his campaign: “Let’s Bring Allentown Back to the All-American City Together.”
The ad suggests contributions of $100, $250, $500 or $1,000.
Ed Zucal served Allentown as a police officer for 24 years before retiring in 2016, and was elected to City Council in 2017.
Challenge(s) from council?
Tuerk is due to formally announce his re-election campaign Nov. 14 at the Da Vinci Science Center, a move that's been expected since February, when he told LehighValleyNews.com there should be "no doubt" he's running for a second term.
A political showdown between Zucal and Tuerk has seemingly been brewing since last year, when the councilman spearheaded a push for an investigation that’s still running into claims of racism and discrimination with city government.
Zucal also led the push for a no-confidence vote against Tuerk late last year after the mayor fired several human resources employees.
And, of course, Tuerk and city council are locked in a legal battle over the City Hall investigation.
City Council President Cynthia Mota is thought to be exploring her own challenge to Tuerk.
She cast the deciding vote to approve the no-confidence measure against Tuerk and told Univision host Jorge Ramos in May that she would “love” to be Allentown's mayor one day.
Zucal did not respond Friday to LehighValleyNews.com's efforts to reach him for comment.
