Anybody living in Southern Florida can attest to the ambition of the Cuban population, exiles from Castro's socialism. They have been Republican from the get-go. The older Mexican population, imported to Hellertown in the 1930's by Bethlehem Steel, is an established local community. Allentown's Puerto Rican community is much newer.
While Allentown currently remains a Democratic stronghold, we learn from Pennyslvania's lottery that You Got To Play To Win. I often heard that Republicans running in Allentown face libel and slander before their ultimate defeat. I can understand that neither Republicans or Puerto Ricans are eager for advice from an old white independent, but you got to run to get elected.
It seems that Republicans can win congressional seats in Lehigh county, and also in the Pennsylvania house as evidenced by the result of the elections earlier this week. However in Allentown, the Democrats have absolute control over both municipal government and the school district.
ReplyDeleteIts not really been since the Heydt years that the GOP has had any meaningful part of the governing and it is reflected by the downhill slide of living conditions, and now woke administration of the city, which compounded by the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity policies imposed that basically are discriminatory as positions are filled by requirements other than merit.
The GOP if they want to compete for elected office in Allentown, needs to forgo fielding non-minority candidates and field latin and canidates of color as it seems they are the preferred ones by the voters in the inner-city, as well by the west end liberals.
To some Turek may be an embarrassment as Mayor, however, it seems he simply is the man of the people for Democratic Allentown that they prefer and vote for.
They have done that.
DeleteIn 2014, The Lehigh County GOP supported Steve Ramos for State Representative for the newly created district that included Center City Allentown and parts of the South side. Ramos, who is Hispanic, spoke Spanish and lived in Center City, and he lost that election by only capturing approx. 30% of the total vote. He lost to Schweyer, who is white and lives outside of center city. Race does not matter, Allentown will never see a Republican elected again, the GOP should focus where they can win.
Delete7:08 you've summed up the situation pretty well. However, I agree with 11:28, urban voters of all races and ethnicities in Allentown are mostly inclined to vote straight ticket Democrat, and Hispanic voters do not necessarily automatically support Hispanic candidates. As the moderator has pointed out, the voters in PAs first "Latino District" in East and South Allentown have repeatedly overwhelmingly supported a lily white carpetbagger from New Jersey for the state house. As we just saw in the most recent election, Hispanic voter preferences are not easy to predict. I'd argue that Allentown really needs well intentioned, moderate Democratic candidates to run for office regardless of race or ethnicity.
DeleteMaybe we should pull the Dem trick and run a Republican as a Democrat... a DINO, if you will... counter the RINOs at their own game.
DeleteMike, We are always looking for people to run but we never find. Perhaps with our success this year some Allentown Republicans will decide now is the time. Keep in mind, I have been asking well qualified Democrats to run for local office for years now as well. Offering to help. They to refuse, local government is so bad, good people don't want to get involved. Please go to a school board meeting and see for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how you attract qualified people to these jobs. They don’t pay. Not sure how the current mayor supports a family on $95k - my guess is they are all making sacrifices for his dream and he is hoping to get appointed to a state or federal job at some point.
DeleteI would vote for a Republican mayor, council person, or state rep. There just hasn’t been many good candidates that come to mind over the last 10-20 years. Heydt wasn’t exactly spectacular. Thiel was a good candidate for council but the R registration didn’t help him at the time. Perhaps times are changing.
ReplyDeleteLance Lopsey is a rising star in the local Allentown Republican scene, would like to see him step up and run for a council Seat he's a stalwart Ultra MAGA loves to own the libs definitely a firebrand we need that
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