1997 Allentown mayoral election
local election in Pennsylvania, United States of America
The 1997 mayoral election in Allentown, Pennsylvania was held on November 4, 1997, and resulted in the Republican incumbent mayor William L. Heydt defeating Democratic challenger and city councilmen Martin Velazquez III. This election is remembered for its razor thin margin for the Democratic primary which saw Velazquez win by a singular vote against Emma Tropiano after a lengthy and hotly contested recount.
Background
Incumbent Republican mayor Heydt had been elected in 1993 with 51.9% of the popular vote and vowed to not seek reelection and limit himself to a single term. However, he would go back on his promise and touting his long list of accomplishments as mayor, including a $4.8 million surplus in the city budget, a greatly expanded and equipped police force, as well as many new businesses moving into the city, as his justification to seek reelection. However, he did face a large amount of criticism for the two lengthy legal battles between the mayors office and the police department. The first was over the city's pension plan with Heydt eventually conceded to increasing the pension to 70%. And the second prevented Heydt's firing of trooper Thomas Siteman over purported bigotry.
Campaign
Republican primary
Heydt's greatest challenge in the election would come from in the form of a primary election against David K. Bausch. Bausch, a businessman and former Lehigh County executive and member of the Allentown city council, had been defeated in a primary election during his time as executive and sought to do the same against Heydt despite his endorsement from the county's Republican Party. Because of this he had to finance his entire campaign out of pocket and against resistance from local Republican officials. Heydt also faced another challenger, Alton Frey.
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