Democrats Tuerk, Zucal face off in only Allentown mayoral debate
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include Councilman Zucal’s debate comments on firing Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca if he were elected mayor.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and Councilman Ed Zucal, opponents in the May 20 Democratic mayoral primary, showed their stark differences on the city’s key issues during a debate Thursday night.
It was the candidates’ only debate before the May 20 primary. There are no Republicans running, meaning the winner of the primary will likely be the next mayor.
Tuerk painted an optimistic portrait for the future of Allentown if he were reelected to a second, four-year term, while Zucal focused on problems of crime and a lack of economic development. The debate at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown was sponsored by LehighValleyNews, whose reporters Tom Shortell and Jason Addy questioned the candidates.
The hour-long debate covered crime, affordable housing, and the ongoing investigations into racial discrimination allegations at City Hall.
Tuerk and Zucal disagreed on whether citizens still trust the Allentown Police Department after two officers sued the department in a whistleblower lawsuit, a case that was reopened last year. The department also faces fallout from charges against a former officer for theft and sex crimes that occurred while he was a member of the police force.
The councilman said he would fire Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca. “If I become mayor, that will be one of the first positions I replace,” Zucal said. Tuerk defended Roca and said he has done an “incredible job” leading the department.
Zucal, a former Allentown police officer in his second term on council, opened the debate by saying, “I see our city going in the wrong direction” and criticized how Tuerk has led the city.
“Taxes are too high. Our city government is embroiled in scandal. Downtown neighborhoods are distressed and our nuisance laws are barely enforced,” he added.
Tuerk defended his record. “In my first three years as your mayor, we made incredible progress. Crime has hit historic lows. Downtown is more vibrant … and we’re in our best fiscal position in decades,” he said in his opening statement. He also acknowledged that there is “still a ton of work to do.”
Zucal said that Tuerk was not honest about the crime statistics in Allentown and focused too much on recent numbers to show a decrease. (There were 17 recorded homicides in 2023 and four in 2024.) Tuerk pointed to a recent quick arrest for a homicide outside the BKK Lounge as having a chilling effect on crime.
Part of the debate centered on allegations of racial discrimination and harassment that have embroiled City Hall for over two years. Zucal was one of the council members that ordered an investigation into the allegations and hired a former FBI special agent to conduct it. Tuerk canceled that contract, saying the council did not go through proper procedures to hire him. Zucal pushed the city council to hold a vote of no confidence and sue Tuerk, but that lawsuit is on hold.
Zucal said he “wouldn’t haven’t done anything differently” in regards to the independent investigation, despite taxpayers being on the hook for about $130,000 in legal fees.
When asked about legislative accomplishments he had as a member of the city council, Zucal could not name any he did independently. “I am a leader, and I believe I will be very effective as the mayor of Allentown,” he said.
Tuerk defended his handling of allegations of racial discrimination from City Hall employees and said that the employees are still not getting the respect they deserve after bringing the city through the covid pandemic.
To see more photos of the debate, click here.
He said his administration “diligently investigated claims when they’ve occurred,” but wouldn’t elaborate further on personnel issues. He pointed to recent hirings of a people and culture coordinator and a human resources director as steps the city is taking to improve the environment for workers at City Hall.
Tuerk touted his affordable housing plan and pointed to new residential construction as beneficial to all residents of Allentown, despite them being labeled as luxury units. “These are units that are offered at market rates,” he said.
He pointed to 1528 West as a successful development that houses seniors and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acknowledged there is a long way to close the affordable housing gap.
While Zucal agreed on the need for affordable housing, he did not elaborate on any plans. In response to a question about the 15,000-person waiting list for public housing or vouchers, he said, “I don’t know if there’s a way to combat that.”
During a portion of the debate when the candidates could ask each other questions, Tuerk asked Zucal about his mayoral announcement in which he called the current mayor “too woke.”
Zucal elaborated by saying, “This is a blue-collar city. … This is a city that’s made up of Pennsylvania Dutch, Irishmen, everything. So that’s what I mean by [when I say] we need to get back to what this city was originally.”
Tuerk then accused Zucal of using language that sounded like MAGA ideology by “Making Allentown Great Again,” but Zucal defended his record, saying he had been a Democrat his entire life and “does not believe in the MAGA system.”
Other topics the two debated were economic developments in the city. Zucal feels the city is struggling and new businesses are only opening downtown. Tuerk defended his record by pointing to new businesses opening on Union Boulevard and Emmaus Avenue. They also discussed addressing homelessness, improvements for pedestrian and driver safety, the Allentown School District’s recent purchase of land for a new middle school and approaches to parking enforcement.
Zucal and Tuerk agreed that the city should comply with federal laws on immigration. Both supported a recent city council ordinance that declared Allentown a “Welcoming City.”
Zucal added he is scared for students in Allentown schools where he works because they shouldn’t be taken from their families by federal agents.
Tuerk said that he worked with the council to make sure the “Welcoming City” ordinance complied with federal, state and local laws, and believes such policies give residents the feeling that their city has their back.
