BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Democrats Colleen Laird, Michael Colón and Bryan Callahan appeared to win their party's nomination for Bethlehem City Council in Tuesday's primary election.
Republicans Thomas Ginthner and Devin Brunges, who were unopposed on the GOP ticket, also will advance to the November general election and a shot at three city council seats.
- The primary race for Bethlehem City Council brought out five Democrats and two Republicans
- Bethlehem native Colleen Laird captured the most votes, according to unofficial returns
- Laird, Michael Colón and Bryan Callahan will face Republicans Thomas Ginthner and Devin Brunges in November
Laird was top vote-getter with 3,784 votes in Northampton and Lehigh counties, according to complete but unofficial election returns. Colón came in second with 3,352 votes, while Callahan grabbed 2,441 votes.
Colón is the current council president and the only incumbent seeking re-election. Other Democrats who ran in the primary were Celeste Dee and Ricky Butler. Dee captured 2,391 votes — just 50 shy of the third nomination spot — and Butler, 2,225.
Colleen Laird
Laird said she was “humbled by and optimistic” by the voters who turned out for her, but she stopped short late Tuesday of declaring victory.
She said the campaigning process taught her some valuable lessons about the city she grew up in.
"I learned that Bethlehem residents value integrity, authenticity and action through community involvement. I also learned that I want to help pave the way for future first-time candidates."Colleen Laird, Democratic nominee for Bethlehem City Council
“I learned that Bethlehem residents value integrity, authenticity and action through community involvement,” said Laird, assistant chief information officer for Moravian University. “I also learned that I want to help pave the way for future first-time candidates.”
Bryan Callahan
As results came in but before they were complete, Callahan said he hoped to secure the third-place spot, especially considering the support around him.
“I have issues and concerns that mean a lot to them,” Callahan said. “And I think they know that they can rely on me to bring that up at the city council meetings.”
Celeste Dee
Dee said she’s grateful for the people she’s known and met during her campaigning.
"The one thing that I saw — and I knew about this even beforehand — is we’re a city of good people. And everyone, whether they voted for me or not, treated me with grace and dignity."Celeste Dee, Democratic candidate for Bethlehem City Council
“The one thing that I saw — and I knew about this even beforehand — is we’re a city of good people,” Dee said. “And everyone, whether they voted for me or not, treated me with grace and dignity.”
Thomas Ginthner
For Ginthner, he said he’s been consistently canvassing door to door across the city in the weeks leading up to the election, adding that the experience has been rewarding for him and people are showing their support.
“I increasingly feel great about getting crossover votes from Democrats and Independents in November,” Ginthner said.
He said he hoped to “bring a sense of balance and calmness” to city council.
Devin Brunges
Brunges said he spent his day at polling places on the city’s South Side, speaking with voters and learning more about their concerns.
"It’s an exciting time, because we are finding people coming forward and actually getting involved and becoming concerned about issues in the community."Devin Brunges, Republican nominee for Bethlehem City Council
“People are ready and listening to ideas other than everything that has transpired in the past,” Brunges said. “And that will come from several of the candidates on both sides — Democrat and Republican — who are not necessarily established or long-term candidates, but new people on the block.
“And it’s an exciting time, because we are finding people coming forward and actually getting involved and becoming concerned about issues in the community.”
Come November, Brunges said he’s confident he’ll be the first Republican chosen to serve on Bethlehem City Council in over a decade.
Collective goals
Honing public and private development and, as a result, opening more affordable housing options was a key concern among all of the candidates running for city council.
During the campaign, they discussed various issues impacting the city, including improving communication between the government and residents, keeping an eye on tax rates and bolstering small businesses.
Current council members Wandalyn Enix and Paige Van Wirt aren't running for re-election. Their terms expire at the end of the year.
