Forums, debates planned for mayoral candidates
As a competitive Allentown mayoral race heats up over the next eight weeks, candidates will take part in a number of forums and debates at whichthey hope to distinguish themselves.
In the May 18 primary, Democratic incumbent Ray O’Connell faces a challenge from councilmembers Ce-Ce Gerlach and Julio Guridy, as well as longtime economic development official Matthew Tuerk. Republican Tim Ramos will meet the winner in the general election.
Here’s a rundown of the events planned so far.
April 1: LGBTQ mayoral forum
Kicking things off, the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community is teaming up with PBS39 and 91.3 WLVR NPR on April 1 to learn where mayoral candidates stand on issues relevant to the LGBTQ community.
The hour-long live event will air on both PBS39 and 91.3 WLVR at 7 p.m.. The forum will be streamed live online and on the PBS39 and WLVR News Facebook pages.
Adrian Shanker, executive director of Bradbury-Sullivan, and Tyler Pratt, a reporter with WLVR News, will moderate the forum.
Community members are invited to submit questions via recorded video that will be used throughout the forum.
This is the first-ever mayoral forum focused on LGBTQ issues.
April 12-16: Morning Call virtual interviews
The Morning Call will interview one mayoral candidate at 11 a.m. each day the week of April 12.
The interviews will be streamed on Facebook Live. Viewers will have the opportunity to submit their own questions for the candidates. April 12: Ray O’Connell April 13: Matt Tuerk April 14: Julio Guridy April 15: Ce-Ce Gerlach April 16: Tim Ramos
April 29: Chamber, ‘Business Matters’ debate
The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a one-hour mayoral debate 9:30 a.m. April 29 at PPL Center. It will air on WFMZ’s “Business Matters” show at 7 p.m. May 3.
The debate will feature Allentown’s four Democratic candidates. Seating is limited, but anyone interested in purchasing tickets can contact Brittney Waylen, the chamber’s vice president of government affairs, at Brittneyw@lehighvalleychamber.org.
May 4: Young Professionals group hosts town hall
The Allentown Young Professionals will hold a virtual town hall featuring the mayoral candidates 7 p.m. May 4.
Each candidate will have an opportunity to promote their platform and answer community members’ questions two weeks out from the May 18 primary.
“This race is crucial to the direction and progression of our city as we emerge from the pandemic,” the event page states. “We need to continue the momentum built thus far and need a visible, qualified and fearless leader at the helm.”
The group says it will also conductseparate interviews with city council and school board candidates.
TBD: Forum hosted by social justice organizations
Community groups with which Pastor Gregory Edwards is associated are planning a mayoral debate or candidate forum.
Edwards, president and CEO of the Resurrected Community Development Corp., said the organization will co-sponsor the event at a to-be-determined date and time with POWER Lehigh Valley, an interfaith social justice group, and Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, a community nonprofit.
The three organizations will sponsor a Bethlehem mayoral candidate forum, an Allentown School Board candidate forum and an East Penn School Board candidate forum, Edwards said.
Edwards is director of POWER Lehigh Valley and board chairman of Promise Neighborhoods.