Reynolds defeats Crampsie Smith to win Democratic nod for Bethlehem mayor
Incumbent J. William Reynolds has beaten back a challenge from Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith to capture the Democratic nomination for Bethlehem mayor.
Reynolds, who is seeking his second term, tallied approximately 4,400 votes to Crampsie Smith’s 2,228, according to unofficial results. He dominated in both Lehigh and Northampton counties.
In Northampton, with all county precincts reporting, Reynolds had 3,007 votes (64.96%) to Crampsie Smith’s 1,619 votes (34.98%). In Lehigh, Reynolds tallied 1,393 votes to Cramspie Smith’s 669, according to results showing 160 of 161 precincts being partially reported.
With no Republican on the ballot, Reynolds is likely headed to victory on Nov. 5. Reynolds could not be reached for comment.
When asked about the outcome, Crampsie Smith told WFMZ-TV, “My message was one of gratitude. So many people have been supportive, especially my family.”
She said she’s taken a lot away from running. “I never really thought I could love my city and hometown more than I do now. This campaign has changed all that. I love it even more.”
Crampsie Smith’s term on council expires this year. She did not simultaneously run for council.
In the run-up to the election, Reynolds touted his record of progress, including the $1.4 million makeover of Friendship Park, a 33% reduction of the city’s debt and $1.1 billion in private-sector investments in the city over the last four years.
He hailed his systematic approach to providing more affordable houses, which relies on $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding and other grants to jumpstart multiple projects that will benefit more people.
Projects in the works include South Bethlehem’s Eastern Gateway where 120 market-rate and affordable housing units are planned on $4 million worth of land recently donated by Lehigh Valley Industrial Park.
Reynolds, who at age 25 was the youngest person elected to council, faced a formidable opponent in Crampsie Smith, who has served on council since 2019. She has often clashed with Reynolds as a councilwoman and didn’t hold back in the election.
On the issue of affordable housing, she accused him of wasting time and money on consultants instead of getting shovels in the ground. She said she would be a better fiscal manager and more transparent. At a debate, she said she would not vote for him in November if he bested her on May 20.
While Reynolds’s campaign had a larger bankroll, both ended up spending roughly the same on the election with Reynolds tallying $48,536 to Crampsie Smith’s $46,651. Crampsie used her money to hire two staffers to help run her campaign.
Crampsie Smith’s campaign was lifted by opposition mailers sent by a political action committee that was funded by attorney Raymond Lahoud of Upper Saucon, city Councilman Bryan Callahan and Bruce Haines, managing partner of Hotel Bethlehem.
PA Local Leaders Fund PAC raised $33,400 between April 1 and May 5, according to a campaign finance report filed with the state. The PAC spent $12,575, leaving $22,825 for the final weeks of the election.