Incumbent mayor of Allentown Matt Tuerk has claimed victory over Republican candidate city councilman Ed Zucal in the 2025 race. 

Zucal, who ran as a Democrat during the May primary, secured a spot as the Republican candidate through a write-in campaign. 

This will be Tuerk’s second term in office following his 2022 win. 

Tuerk declared victory by winning 81% of the votes in the Democratic primary in May, while Zucal had 19%. 

Matt Tuerk declares victory over Ed Zucal in Allentown mayoral Democratic primary

Tuerk is the first Hispanic Mayor of Allentown, citing his ability to speak Spanish as putting him “in a position to communicate with all of our City’s residents.” The Allentown population is approximately 54% Hispanic or Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

He told 69 News, “I think that we have made a lot of progress, and I emphasize we as a team, the city of Allentown has made a lot of progress towards creating a safe and clean and healthy environment in the city that promotes the well-being of our residents.”

Tuerk has touted both his success on lowering crime rates and the development of Hamilton Street in Center City Allentown.

Tuerk said last year only 4 homicides occurred in the city. He plans to continue making the city safer by continuing his partnership with Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca.

Two-term councilman Ed Zucal thinks that Allentown City Hall needs a change. “Allentown City Hall has become inaccessible to city residents; emails go unanswered, phones aren’t picked up, and our leaders are nowhere to be found when we need them,” his website states.

Zucal served for over two decades as an Allentown police officer and vows to have residents regain trust in the police department, while also doing more to address crime.

“I’m going to obviously hire more police officers,” he said. “I’m going to incorporate what I consider the old-style community policing where the police are actually in the community.”

Zucal vows for more transparency on day one for the Allentown government. He has led the charge to investigate the growing list of accusations made by city employees, according to his website.

Get all the 2025 election results at 69 News Election Central.