Allentown mayoral candidates discuss Trump, guns, housing
Ramos, Tuerk cite links to Latino community in televised debate
Allentown mayoral candidates Tim Ramos and Matt Tuerk fielded questions on affordable housing, gun violence and their respective Latino heritage Thursday evening in a virtual debate hosted by WLVT-TV Channel 39.
During the debate, Democratic nominee Tuerk touted his experience working in economic development in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley while Republican pick Ramos highlighted his roots as a lifelong Allentown resident and longtime community advocate.
Q&A: Allentown mayoral candidates on crime, gentrification and quality of life in the Queen City
Both candidates were frequently on the offense, with Ramos positioning Tuerk as an outsider to Allentown and Tuerk criticizing Ramos’ support of former President Donald Trump.
Host Genesis Ortega opened the debate asking Ramos why he remained unvaccinated against COVID-19. Ramos said that he had an adverse reaction to a vaccine as a child and has an appointment scheduled with a doctor to discuss taking the vaccine.
“The vaccine is a great tool for fighting COVID and the vaccine is a great option for most, though I wouldn’t support mandates,” Ramos said, describing vaccine mandates as a “violation of constitutional rights.”
Both candidates said they’d support increased neighborhood investments and a revamped community policing approach as a means to fight gun violence in the city. So far in 2021, Allentown has seen 41 shootings, leaving six dead.
“My belief is the best remedy for crime is investing in our neighborhoods and health and development, not just throwing more police at the issue,” Tuerk said.
“The idea is to interrupt transmission of disease of violence.”
Ramos responded by mentioning his Allentown roots.
“I’m glad with what Mr. Tuerk said,” Ramos said. “People from the community closest to issues facing their communities, that’s Tim Ramos — I grew up in the heart of downtown.”
Ramos touted his years of experience working with at-risk youth in Allentown. Tuerk asked Ramos how he would bring the city into the future beyond his previous experience working with the Allentown community.
“His experience in Allentown from 20 years ago shaped who he is today, but doesn’t do much to show what he’ll do as mayor,” Tuerk said.
Ramos countered by saying Tuerk is a newcomer to some of the city’s communities.
“I’m glad that you have taken a newfound interest in our communities,” Ramos said. “I never noticed you working with any of those organizations prior to this election.”
On affordable housing, Tuerk said he plans to bring jobs and wealth into Allentown neighborhoods and build more housing across the Lehigh Valley. Ramos proposed a homebuyers program to help prospective buyers afford their mortgage.
When asked how they’d engage the Latino community in Allentown — 54% of Allentown’s population is Latino — both candidates invoked their Latino heritage. Tuerk’s grandmother is a Cuban immigrant and Ramos’s parents are from Puerto Rico. Both speak fluent Spanish and either would be the city’s first Spanish speaking mayor if elected.
“I’ve been present fighting for rights and issues affecting Latino residents for the past 12 years, from nuisance abatement, business issues, I’ve represented them,” Ramos said. “My opponent hasn’t.”
But Tuerk responded that he has worked with the Latino community through his work with the Allentown Economic Development Corporation.
“We supported the creation of a lot of Latino businesses here in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley,” Tuerk said. “But what we’re asking, Mr. Ramos, is what we’re going to do now, not what we’ve done in the past.”
During a part of the debate where the opponents asked each other questions, Ramos attacked Tuerk’s donor profile — Tuerk raised $120,000 for his campaign, more than any other Democratic candidate for mayor — while Tuerk denounced Ramos’ support for Trump.
Tuerk specifically criticized Ramos for running a chapter of Latinos for Trump in 2020 — which Ramos later said is not true. Ramos told The Morning Call that he served as Vice Chair of the Lehigh County Republican Committee, but was not directly involved with Latinos for Trump.
On his support for Trump, Ramos said after the debate that he supported the former president’s approach to business, but not his “brash character.” He voted for Trump in 2020, he said.