ALLENTOWN, Pa. — An Allentown man who came less than two dozen votes shy of a City Council seat four years ago is making another run for the job.
Patrick Palmer announced his council campaign Tuesday, joining five other Democrats in the race for four seats.
The contest includes political newcomers Jeremy Binder, Ben Stemrich and Cristian Pungo; three-time candidate Luis Acevedo; and incumbent Councilwoman Natalie Santos.
“I firmly believe that by investing in our youth and their families … Allentown can become a safe place where all can thrive."Patrick Palmer, Allentown City Council candidate
Palmer’s platform is focused on housing, mental health services and creating opportunities for young people, according to his announcement.
He also will push to “make sure that we are holding slumlords accountable,” Palmer said Tuesday in his campaign announcement.
“I firmly believe that, by investing in our youth and their families, … Allentown can become a safe place where all can thrive,” he said.
Council campaign
Palmer finished with the fifth-most votes among nine candidates in the May 2021 Democratic primary. Fourth-place finisher Ed Zucal earned 21 more votes than Palmer in that contest.
The top four vote-getters received council seats that fall.
Palmer ran for Allentown mayor during the 2019 Democratic primary and finished third of four candidates with 621 votes, according to official election results.
He also attempted to run for council two years ago but his name was left off the ballot after officials ruled he missed the county’s candidate-filing deadline by one minute.
Palmer most recently was a regional director in the Lehigh Valley for former Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
He served several years on the Allentown Commercial and Industrial Development Authority and the city’s Human Relations Commission.
