LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. – Ce-Ce Gerlach has declared victory in the race for the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania’s 22nd State House District against incumbent Ana Tiburcio.

Gerlach would still have to face the candidate from the Republican party in the fall general election.

“While we are still waiting for all of the votes to be counted, Ana is so grateful to every single person who took time out of their lives to vote, knock doors, dial a phone, or just offer words of support for her campaign,” Tiburcio said in a Facebook post.

“Ana is so grateful for her dedicated campaign staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly for this campaign and this vision of a brighter future.”

The 22nd House District in Pennsylvania covers portions of Allentown in Lehigh County, specifically Center City, East Allentown and a portion of Salisbury Township.

Ana Tiburcio was elected in February 2026 to represent Pennsylvania’s 22nd Legislative District, winning the special election to fill the seat vacated by former State Rep. Josh Siegel. She secured the position after defeating Republican candidate Robert E. Smith Jr., who is now seeking the seat again as the Republican Party’s nominee. Tiburcio serves on the Allentown School Board until December 2027.

Tiburcio has lived in Allentown for nearly 30 years and attended Northampton Community College. Alongside her elected service, she worked as a Program Coordinator for the Fine Feather Foundation from 2023–2026, supporting youth through creative and educational programs.

“I’ve been living in District 22, and my issues are affordability, fair education and affordable housing. I’m here to fight for our families and to be the voice,” Ana Tiburcio says.

In addition to her public service, Tiburcio owns A&M Tax & Services and participates in several community initiatives, including Allentown Works, the Love Your Block beautification project, and Allentown Blueprint Communities.

Ce-Ce Gerlach is the other Democratic candidate on the ballot.

Gerlach is a longtime Allentown community figure who first entered public office in 2011 as the youngest person ever elected to the Allentown School Board. She later won a seat on Allentown City Council in 2019 and became the top vote‑getter in the 2023 Democratic primary for her re‑election.

Gerlach is also the first person in her family to finish high school and graduate from college, earning a degree in Elementary Education from Cedar Crest College. Her early career included working with youth at the Allentown Boys and Girls Club and other local nonprofits.

Gerlach has also been active in local economic and housing initiatives, including leading the “Allentown Jobs First” effort to prioritize local hiring for downtown development and advocating for inclusionary zoning to expand affordable housing. In her campaign for Pennsylvania’s 22nd State House District, she received endorsements from several organizations and local officials, Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel among them. She currently works for a statewide social justice organization and operates a concessions business.

“The problems that we face are systemic so there must be systemic solutions. I firmly believe that Housing is a Human Right, people deserve to live and work with dignity, homelessness, mental health and addiction are not crimes and that we must address the root causes of violence. I have and will continue to be focused on working class people and working-class neighborhoods in Allentown.”