Campaign costs in Bethlehem mayoral race top $95,000
Two Democrats running for Bethlehem mayor in Tuesday's primary election amassed campaign chests that totaled just over $197,000 in a race that could settle the outcome in November.
Incumbent J. William Reynolds, who is seeking his second term, had $123,379 in total funds, according to a report for Feb. 1 to May 5 that was filed by Friends of J. Williams Reynolds.
His challenger, Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith, had $73,945 in total funds, according to a report filed by Friends of Grace Crampsie Smith.
Reynolds listed $88,536 in expenditures, but $40,000 of that went toward repaying a prior loan he gave to his campaign. Crampsie Smith spent $46,651.
There are no Republicans seeking nominations on Tuesday, meaning that the Democratic winner will likely prevail in November.
Here is a breakdown of their campaign finance reports.
J. William Reynolds
Friends of J. William Reynolds carried over $93,384 from 2024 and raised $29,995 as of May 5. Reynolds’ campaign spent $88,536. He listed no in-kind contributions. He ended the period with $34,843 for the final weeks of the election. His largest donation – $15,500 – came from the Lehigh Valley Association of Realtors PAC. State Sen. Lisa Boscola’s PAC contributed $500 while the Moving Forward PAC gave $1,000. Giving $1,000 were Steve and Lucy Thompson of Bethlehem and Arif Fazil of Bethlehem.
Contributors who gave $500 each included John Morganelli Jr., attorney Matthew Deschler, Louis Intile and James Byszewski, both developers with Fifth Street Capital Partners, and John Tallarico, a former member of the Bethlehem Authority. Curtis Barnette, former president and CEO of the Bethlehem Steel Corp., gave $250. Jennifer Mann, a former area state representative who runs a consulting business, gave $300. The campaign committee’s largest expenditure was $41,998 paid to Blue Vanguard of Virginia for campaign materials.
Grace Crampsie Smith
Friends of Grace Crampsie Smith brought forward $30,415 from 2024 and raised $43,530 between Jan. 1 and May 5. The campaign spent $46,651 and ended the period with $28,287 for the final weeks of the campaign. Her biggest contribution was $15,000, listed as coming from Jim Reilly, International Union of Operating Engineers. The IBEW 375 PAC gave $5,000 while the IBEW Local 102 gave $1,000. The Insulators PAC gave $500. Other donors included Rocco Damato, CEO of Bazzini LLC, ($5,000); Shirley and Ed O’Brien of Coaldale ($2,000); John Blankstein ($1,500); and Kelly Ronalds, director of sales and guest experience at Hotel Bethlehem, ($1,000). Mann also contributed to Crampsie Smith with a $100 donation. Crampie Smith spent $15,500 on salaries for two employees, $4,596 on mailers and literature at Lehigh Valley Print Center and $4,700 for a survey by Chism Strategies of Mississippi. There was an outstanding $1,000 loan listed as given by Crampsie Smith.