| Election Name: | 2019 Allentown special mayoral election |
| Country: | Pennsylvania |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Allentown Pennsylvania.gif |
| Type: | presidential |
| Vote Type: | Popular |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2017 Allentown mayoral election |
| Previous Year: | 2017 |
| Next Election: | 2021 Allentown mayoral election |
| Next Year: | 2021 |
| Image1: | Allentown Mayor Ray O'Connell - cropped.jpg |
| Image1 Size: | 140px |
| Candidate1: | Ray O'Connell |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 8,315 |
| Percentage1: | 66.73% |
| Image2 Size: | 140px |
| Candidate2: | Timothy Ramos |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 4,111 |
| Percentage2: | 32.99% |
| Map Size: | 260px |
| Mayor | |
| Before Election: | Ray O'Connell |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Ray O'Connell |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The Allentown 2019 special mayoral election was held on May 19, 2019 following the resignation of Democratic mayor Ed Pawlowski. Incumbent interim Democratic mayor Ray O'Connell defeated Republican challenger Timothy Ramos.[1]
During the 2017 Allentown mayoral election, three-term mayor Ed Pawlowski was indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and faced fifty-four charges, including multiple counts of conspiracy, bribery, attempted extortion, making false statements to federal officials, mail fraud, and wire fraud with some charges dating as far back as 2012.[2] He refused to step down or stop campaigning for his fourth term as mayor.[3] He narrowly won the election, 39.37% to his Republican challenger's 36.74% with write in votes for city councilman Ray O'Connell reaching roughly 18%.[4]
Pawlowski was then found guilty on forty-seven charges shortly after the election on March 1, 2018. Forced to resign as mayor on March 9, 2018, he was sentenced to twenty years in federal prison.[5]
With the office of mayor vacant, a special election was held to fill the seat. Councilman Ray O'Connell was appointed interim mayor by the city council until the election.[6]
There was only one primary, the Democratic primary, because Republican Tim Ramos ran unopposed. There were four Democratic candidates:[7]
Interim mayor O'Connell successfully defeated his three primary challengers, gaining 53% of the vote and advancing to the general election. He then defeated Republican challenger Ramos 66.73% to 32.99%.[8] [9] [10] [11]