BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Mayor J. William Reynolds is going out for a chance at another four years at the city’s helm, he announced Thursday.
Around 80 supporters, city staff and current and former elected officials gathered for the occasion in the lobby of Dream Boyd Theatre, 30 W. Broad St.
Reynolds, a 42-year-old Democrat, said that while he was excited for another shot at the job, the successes of the past four years have been a group effort.
"That’s really the success that we have here in the city, is that nobody cares who’s shooting the ball and who’s passing the ball — but we’re all in this together.”Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
“What separates us — between our teachers, our principals, our nonprofit leaders and our other elected officials — is the idea that we work together; people don’t care about who gets the credit,” Reynolds said. “And that’s really the success that we have here in the city, is that nobody cares who’s shooting the ball and who’s passing the ball.
“But we’re all in this together.”
The primary election is on May 20.
City Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith, a Democrat, also has announced her intention to run for mayor in the upcoming election.
'Stronger than ever before'
Reynolds touted what he said was a city that gives everybody a chance.
“You don’t have to make those choices between being successful for some of us and all of us,” Reynolds said. “You can celebrate your history, but also understand that we can welcome new people here.
“You can celebrate the culture that we’ve always had as a city, but also understand we need to open more doors. You can celebrate the idea that we are building new housing; but until everybody finds a place to live, the problem is not solved.
“We have redefined what the opportunities are in this city.”
He spoke of his four years being a time of encouraging proper city budgeting and the steady slashing of debt; broad investments in public safety; proactivity amid a current housing crisis; and ample support for local businesses, nonprofits and historic assets.
Former Mayor Robert Donchez said, “Today, our city is stronger than ever before. Mayor Reynolds’ leadership and his experiences continue to move Bethlehem in the right direction.”
'A remarkable transformation' locally
30-year resident Frank Baran said he worked alongside Reynolds in former President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign, and in the data processing unit for Reynolds’ first mayoral run in 2013.
Reynolds, a city councilman at the time, came up short to Donchez by 185 votes.
“Actually, it’s been a succession of mayors that have made the city what it is today, but Willie has taken one leap forward."30-year Bethlehem resident Frank Baran
“Actually, it’s been a succession of mayors that have made the city what it is today, but Willie has taken one leap forward,” Baran said. “ … Compared to the way the city was when Bethlehem Steel closed its business in 1995 — this is a remarkable transformation.”
He said he expects to be “very active” in Reynolds’ upcoming campaign.
Resident Jessica Albanese said the mayor is a familiar face and is “always out at all the events, getting out there.”
A lifelong Bethlehemite, Reynolds graduated from Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Liberty High School and Moravian College.
He was elected to City Council in 2007, where he served until he was elected and assumed the role of mayor in 2022.
In the two decades before his election to mayor, he worked as a legislative aide to State Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton County, and also as a history teacher at William Allen High School in the Allentown School District.
Reynolds lives in Center City with his wife, Dr. Natalie Bieber, and their son, Leo.
