ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A year-and-a-half stay in Florida ended a local Democrat’s hopes at serving the Lehigh Valley in the state Legislature — at least for a few years.
Julian Guridy was nominated this month by local party leaders to run in a Feb. 24 special election to decide who will finish the term of former state representative and now Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel.
Lehigh Valley politicos, including Siegel, quickly threw their support behind Guridy, the son of former City Councilman Julio Guridy — who now runs the Allentown Housing Authority — and an aide to state Sen. Nick Miller, D-Lehigh/Northampton.
He looked to have great odds at claiming victory over Republican nominee Bob Smith in the heavily Democratic 22nd House District, which includes parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township.
Guridy introduced himself to voters as their future state representative.
But in a stunning turn over the weekend, he abruptly dropped out of the race for the special election as well as the eventual full-term, two-year representative to be elected starting in the May primary.
State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh and House whip, on Saturday said Guridy pulled out for personal reasons.
Guridy in a Facebook post Sunday night thanked supporters but was tight-lipped about his exit from the race.
‘Unfortunate’: Guridy
The now-former candidate was forced to withdraw because he did not meet all constitutional requirements to serve in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Guridy, 31, lived in Florida from mid-2021 until early 2023, when he returned to Allentown after being hired to work as a constituent services representative in Miller’s office, he told LehighValleyNews.com on Monday night.
The Pennsylvania Constitution requires state representatives to live in the state for at least four years before their election; Guridy would have been about a year short of that requirement if he stood for election next month.
Guridy said he withdrew his name from contention as soon as he became aware of that requirement.
“It’ll be in a different way, but I still want to show up (for my community.)”
Julian Guridy, former state House candidate
He called the sudden end of his campaign “a big misunderstanding” and said “it’s unfortunate” that his time in Florida means he cannot yet represent his hometown in Harrisburg.
Guridy in summer 2021 appeared on a Spanish-language dating show called “Enamorándonos USA,” which was based in Miami. He later worked for American Express before moving back to the Lehigh Valley.
Guridy, who left his job with Miller to focus on his campaign, said he plans to continue serving his community.
“It’ll be in a different way, but I still want to show up,” he told LehighValleyNews.com.
Guridy’s earliest next crack at the state House would be during the 2028 election cycle, barring another special election next year or another move.
Via Allentown School District website
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Ana Tiburcio, of Allentown, was elected to the Allentown School Board in November 2023. She was selected as the Democrats’ choice to compete in the 22nd House District special election in Allentown set for Feb. 24, 2026.
Ballot set, again
Local Democrats acted quickly to name Allentown School Board Director Ana Tiburcio as Guridy’s replacement on the special election ballot.
“I’m running to be a voice. A voice that listens, works and brings people together. This is about representation, accountability and community.”
Ana Tiburcio, Democratic candidate for 22nd House District
Monday was the final day for a candidate to withdraw and a substitute to be nominated, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Had the decision by state Democrats not been taken to replace Guridy, the party would not have had a candidate to go up against the GOP’s Smith in the heavily Democratic district.
Tiburcio, in a Facebook post accepting the party’s nomination, said she is “running to be a voice.”
“A voice that listens, works and brings people together. This is about representation, accountability and community,” she said.
The Dieruff High School graduate was elected to the school board in November 2023 and owns A&M Tax & Services, according to her LinkedIn.
She also is a program coordinator for the Fine Feather Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers holistic youth programs and mentorship, according to her profile.
Tiburcio was not among the candidates who initially sought the nomination on Jan. 3.
Allentown City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach and precinct committee person Erlinda Augilar also received votes during the nomination process, but Schlossberg said they “didn’t seem capable of generating support from local leaders.”
Tiburcio will face Smith, who ran for the seat in 2022. Smith served four terms on the Allentown School Board from 2003-2019.
Gerlach still is running to secure the Democratic nomination in the May primary, though Guridy’s residency issues forced him to pull out of that race, too.