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Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Debates for Allentown and Bethlehem mayor, county executives set by Lehigh Valley Public Media

J. William Reynolds and Grace Crampsie Smith
Courtesy
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J. William Reynolds and Grace Crampsie Smith
Bethlehem City Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith, right, is challenging incumbent J. William Reynolds in the Democratic primary for Bethlehem mayor.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — LehighValleyNews.com this spring will present four debates of candidates seeking some of the region’s top elected offices.

The debates in advance of the May 20 primary election focus on contested primaries and will be free and open to the public.

They include:

  • The Democratic primary for Allentown mayor;
  • The Democratic primary for Bethlehem mayor;
  • The Democratic primary for Northampton County executive; and,
  • The Republican primary for Lehigh County executive.

Allentown

The Allentown mayoral debate will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown. Participating will be the two Democratic candidates on the ballot — incumbent Mayor Matt Tuerk and city Councilman Ed Zucal.

Moderators are LehighValleyNews.com reporters Tom Shortell and Jason Addy.

The hourlong debate will be streamed live on LehighValleyNews.com, on LehighValleyNews.com’s Facebook account, and on the PBS39 YouTube channel.

Matt Tuerk and Ed Zucal
Courtesy
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Matt Tuerk / Ed Zucal
Allentown City Councilman Ed Zucal, right, is challenging incumbent Matt Tuerk, left, in the Democratic primary for Allentown mayor.

The debate will be broadcast on PBS39 at 6 p.m. Friday, April 18, and again at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, as well as additional times in May.

It will be broadcast on 91.3 WLVR radio at 7 p.m. Friday, April 18, and 7 p.m. Monday, April 21.

There are no Republicans on the primary ballot for Allentown mayor.

Bethlehem

The Bethlehem mayoral debate will be at 6 p.m. Monday, April 28, at the Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem.

Participating will be the two Democratic candidates on the ballot — incumbent J. William Reynolds and city Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith.

Moderators are LehighValleyNews.com reporters Shortell and Will Oliver.

The hourlong debate will be streamed live on LehighValleyNews.com, on LehighValleyNews.com’s Facebook account, and on the PBS39 YouTube channel.

The debate will be broadcast on PBS39 at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, as well as additional times in May.

It will be simulcast live on 91.3 WLVR at 6 p.m. April 28.

Northampton County

Tara Zrinski and Amy Cozze
Courtesy
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Tara Zrinski and Amy Cozze
Tara Zrinski, left, is challenging Amy Cozze, right, for Northampton County Executive.

The Northampton County executive debate will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at the Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem.

Participating will be the two Democrats on the ballot — county Controller Tara Zrinski and Amy Cozze.

Moderators are LehighValleyNews.com reporters Shortell and Ryan Gaylor.

The hourlong debate will be streamed live on LehighValleyNews.com, on LehighValleyNews.com’s Facebook account, and on the PBS39 YouTube channel.

The debate will be broadcast live on PBS39 at 7 that night, as well as additional times in May. It also will be simulcast live on 91.3 WLVR.

Republican Tom Giovanni, a county commissioner, is unopposed on the Republican ballot.

Lehigh County

The Lehigh County executive debate will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem.

Participating will be the two Republicans on the ballot — Mike Welsh and Roger MacLean.

The hourlong debate will be streamed live on LehighValleyNews.com, on LehighValleyNews.com’s Facebook account, and on the PBS39 YouTube channel.

The debate will be broadcast live on PBS39 at 7 that night, as well as other times in May. It also will be simulcast live on 91.3 WLVR.

Democrat Josh Siegel, a state representative, is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket.

Details on registration, and links to register a spot in the audiences, will be released soon.