2001 Allentown mayoral election explained

Election Name:2001 Allentown mayoral election
Country:Pennsylvania
Flag Image:Flag of Allentown Pennsylvania.gif
Type:presidential
Vote Type:Popular
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1997 Allentown mayoral election
Previous Year:1997
Next Election:2005 Allentown mayoral election
Next Year:2005
Image1:Portrait placeholder.png
Image1 Size:140px
Candidate1:Roy Afflerbach
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:8,947
Percentage1:52.69%
Image2 Size:140px
Candidate2:Robert Lovett
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:8,034
Percentage2:47.31%
Mayor
Before Election:William L. Heydt
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Roy Afflerbach
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2001 mayoral election in Allentown, Pennsylvania was held on November 6, 2001, and resulted in the Democrat and former state senator Roy Afflerbach, being elected over Republican challenger and businessman, Bob Lovett.[1] Since this election there has never been a Republican mayor of Allentown.

Background

Two term mayor William L. Heydt announced on December 22, 2000, that he would not be seeking re-election to a third term. Heydt who had been re-elected in 1997 with 54.42% stated that it was time for him to move on and spend more time with his family.[2] He would go on to run as the Republican candidate again in 2005.[3]

Campaign

Democratic primary

The Democratic primary in 2001 was one of the most competitive elections in the city's history with the second thinnest margin, coming just behind the 1997 Democratic primary which was decided by a single vote. The front-runner was Siobhan "Sam" Bennett, former CEO of both the Women's Campaign Fund and She Should Run PAC, as well as being the former first vice chair of the Lehigh County Democratic Party. Despite outspending her opponents by almost 3 times, she was upset by former state senator Roy Afflerbach by just 43 individual votes. After a recount Afflerbach's lead increased to 46 votes and his victory was confirmed as he went on to the general election.[4] [5] There was also another Democratic candidate, used furniture salesmen and perennial candidate, David A. Clark who acted as a spoiler for Bennett.[6]

Republican primary

The Republican primary had two front runners, Bob Lovett, former executive vice president of Air Products and Pamela D. Varkony, a city councilwomen who ran a tough on crime platform and promised to increase tech jobs in Allentown.[7] [8] Additionally, Robert Daday, a community organizer and activist and Robert E. Smith Jr, a former interim city councilor for 13 months in 1998 and 1999, also ran for the nomination.[9] [10] Lovett would go on to win the primary with 40.38% of the vote and a comfortable margin.[11]

General election

In the general election Lovett spent $283,000 on his campaign with $121,500 coming out of his own pocket compared to Afflerbach's $80,000. Additionally Lovett was mostly financed by PACs while Afflerbach raised most of his money through donations from locals in Allentown.[12] Despite this Afflerbach would go on to win the general election with 52.69% compared to Lovett's 47.31%. Two main reasons where given for Lovett's defeat, the first being that his policies where too similar to incumbent mayor Bill Heydt, and secondly a last minute endorsement of Afflerbach by The Morning Call, Allentown and the Lehigh Valley's most popular newspaper.[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: GENERAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 2001 . home.lehighcounty.org . . 28 January 2023.
  2. Web site: WITTMAN . BOB . Allentown Mayor Heydt says he will not run for re-election ** "It's time for me to move on,' he announces tearfully. He led efforts to fluoridate water and remove canopies. . . 22 December 2000 . . 29 January 2023.
  3. Web site: Nerl . Daryl . Pawlowski pummels Heydt ** Allentown residents show confidence in Democrat, giving him 59 percent of vote. . . 9 November 2005 . . 28 January 2023.
  4. Web site: NERL . DARYL . Bennett appeals mayoral results ** Election official and campaign manager say Democratic votes might be recounted next week. ** Allentown . . 30 May 2001 . . 28 January 2023.
  5. Web site: Mayoral Primary Candidate Q&A: Democrat Siobhan 'Sam' Bennett . . 27 April 2005 . . 27 January 2023.
  6. Web site: WITTMAN . BOB . Allentown furniture dealer seeks Dem nod for mayor ** David A. Clark wants to reopen Hamilton Street to four lanes to stimulate revitalization. ** Allentown . . 9 February 2001 . . 28 January 2023.
  7. Web site: NERL . DARYL . Pamela Varkony says she's in mayor race ** Allentown councilwoman reaches out to Hispanics. She has pressed for "digital district.' ** Allentown . . 11 January 2001 . . 28 January 2023.
  8. Web site: DONLEY . ED . Why you should vote for J. Robert Lovett . . 9 May 2001 . . 28 January 2023.
  9. Web site: WITTMAN . BOB . Mayoral hopeful declares candidacy ** Robert E. Smith Jr., 39, was an appointed city councilman for 13 months in 1998 and 1999. ** Allentown . . 8 January 2001 . . 28 January 2023.
  10. Web site: PLETZ . RHONDA . Why you should vote for Robert P. Daday . . 9 May 2001 . . 28 January 2023.
  11. Web site: WITTMAN . BOB . It'll be Lovett vs. Afflerbach ** Two capture top spots in Allentown mayoral primary. Dem Bennett wants recount. . . 16 May 2001 . . 28 January 2023.
  12. Web site: NERL . DARYL . Lovett spent $25 per vote ** GOP candidate who lost bid for Allentown mayor used $200,000 during general election. ** Allentown . . 7 December 2001 . . 28 January 2023.
  13. Web site: Sorensen . Jim . Why Bob Lovett lost Allentown mayoral election . . 10 September 2015 . . 28 January 2023.

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