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The 2025 mayoral race in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is heating up as two city councilmembers, Cynthia Mota and Ed Zucal, have announced their intention to challenge incumbent Mayor Matt Tuerk. Tuerk, who will formally announce his re-election campaign later this week, has faced criticism from both Mota and Zucal during his tenure.
Councilwoman Cynthia Mota, who has served on the city council for nearly 14 years, owns a small business, CM Multiservice, where she officiates weddings and helps Allentown residents study for citizenship exams. Mota's family immigrated to Allentown from the Dominican Republic when she was a young child. She graduated from Dieruff High School and has been a councilmember since 2012.
Councilman Ed Zucal, a former Allentown police officer, has served on the city council since 2017. He has been a vocal critic of Mayor Tuerk, leading a push for an outside investigation into alleged discrimination among City Hall employees and blaming Tuerk for the complaints. Zucal is set to make a formal announcement of his candidacy on November 19 at the Ritz Barbeque and Allentown Fairgrounds Hotel.
Mayor Matt Tuerk was first elected as Allentown’s mayor in 2021 and sworn in in 2022. During his tenure, he has overseen the city’s $20 million award from the federal government to address unemployment gaps, made investments in city park improvements, and began the process of a $40 million renovation to the city’s police headquarters. However, his term has been marked by clashes with some City Council members, notably Zucal.
The primary elections in Pennsylvania will take place on May 20, 2025, and the general election is scheduled for November 4, 2025. According to The Morning Call, Allentown, a majority Democratic city, has not had a Republican mayor since 2002, so the race is likely to be decided during the primary.