Dems defeat lone Republican in race for Allentown City Council
Three incumbents and a Democratic challenger defeated the lone Republican in the race for four Allentown City Council seats, according to unofficial election results.
Democratic incumbents Cynthia Mota and Daryl Hendricks each received about 22% of the vote. Democrat Ed Zucal, also an incumbent, received about 20% of the vote. Natalie Santos, a 21-yearold college student who won a surprise victory in the Democratic primary, held on to a narrower lead of about 18% to Republican Tom Houck’s 15%.
Mota said she was thankful for voters’ support and said she spent the day at the polls, where she saw recently naturalized Latino residents voting for the first time. She said the election was a victory for the city’s Hispanic population with the election of Matt Tuerk, who will be the city’s first Latino mayor.
“This will be a new beginning for the city of Allentown. There’s a lot that needs to get done and we’re just getting started,” Mota said. “I think we’re going to be heading in the right direction with the help of Matt Tuerk.”
Hendricks said he was happy with the outcome and said he would continue to serve as a fiscal steward for the city.
“I’m very appreciative of the fact that the people of Allentown support me and they think I’m doing the job they elected me to do,” he said.
Zucal said he was pleased with the support he received after finishing behind political newcomer Santos in the primary election.
“I plan to keep doing what I do and that’s representing the people,” he said. “I’m just happy to be able to serve them for four more years.”
The other candidates did not return calls.
Mota, 47, was appointed to council in 2012, elected in 2013 and reelected in 2017. Born in the Dominican Republic, she came to the United States as a 7-year-old and grew up in Allentown, graduating from Dieruff High School. She runs a small business called CM Centro Multiservices, which provides immigration, notary and translation services. She’s also executive director of Light on the Horizon, a new community nonprofit combating generational poverty.
Hendricks, 68, retired as a captain from the Allentown Police Department in 2013 after 36 years of service. He was elected to his first term as a council member the same year. Hendricks said he first ran to stay involved in city government.
Zucal, 63, retired as a sergeant from the Allentown Police Department in 2016 after 25 years of service. He also serves as a part-time deputy in the Lehigh County coroner’s office and works as a security guard for Allentown School District elementary schools. He won his first term as a council member in 2017. Zucal said he ran for council because he wanted to help the city and its residents.
Santos, 21, is a Kutztown University student studying psychology and Spanish. A New York native, Santos has lived in Allentown for 10 years. She said the Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer inspired her to run for office. Santos said she has always had an interest in social justice issues and hopes to improve Allentown by supporting initiatives that are in the best interest of the community.
Houck, 63, retired from the Allentown Police Department with the rank of shift lieutenant after 25 years and continued working in security and law enforcement as a federal civilian police officer for another 12 years. Houck also served in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve for 30 years.