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| Elections in Pennsylvania |
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The 2001 mayoral election in Allentown, Pennsylvania was held on November 6, 2001, and resulted in the Democrat and former state senator Roy Afflerbach, being elected over Republican challenger and businessman, Bob Lovett.[1] Since this election there has never been a Republican mayor of Allentown.
Background
Two term mayor William L. Heydt announced on December 22, 2000, that he would not be seeking re-election to a third term. Heydt who had been re-elected in 1997 with 54.42% stated that it was time for him to move on and spend more time with his family.[2] He would go on to run as the Republican candidate again in 2005.[3]
Campaign
Democratic primary
The Democratic primary in 2001 was one of the most competitive elections in the city's history with the second thinnest margin, coming just behind the 1997 Democratic primary which was decided by a single vote. The front-runner was Siobhan "Sam" Bennett, former CEO of both the Women's Campaign Fund and She Should Run PAC, as well as being the former first vice chair of the Lehigh County Democratic Party. Despite outspending her opponents by almost 3 times, she was upset by former state senator Roy Afflerbach by just 43 individual votes. After a recount Afflerbach's lead increased to 46 votes and his victory was confirmed as he went on to the general election.[4][5] There was also another Democratic candidate, used furniture salesmen and perennial candidate, David A. Clark who acted as a spoiler for Bennett.[6]
Republican primary
The Republican primary had two front runners, Bob Lovett, former executive vice president of Air Products and Pamela D. Varkony, a city councilwomen who ran a tough on crime platform and promised to increase tech jobs in Allentown.[7][8] Additionally, Robert Daday, a community organizer and activist and Robert E. Smith Jr, a former interim city councilor for 13 months in 1998 and 1999, also ran for the nomination.[9][10] Lovett would go on to win the primary with 40.38% of the vote and a comfortable margin.[11]
General election
In the general election Lovett spent $283,000 on his campaign with $121,500 coming out of his own pocket compared to Afflerbach's $80,000. Additionally Lovett was mostly financed by PACs while Afflerbach raised most of his money through donations from locals in Allentown.[12] Despite this Afflerbach would go on to win the general election with 52.69% compared to Lovett's 47.31%.[1] Two main reasons where given for Lovett's defeat, the first being that his policies where too similar to incumbent mayor Bill Heydt, and secondly a last minute endorsement of Afflerbach by The Morning Call, Allentown and the Lehigh Valley's most popular newspaper.[13]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Roy Afflerbach | 3,361 | 47.30% | |
| Democratic | Siobhan Sam Bennett | 3,315 | 46.66% | |
| Democratic | David A. Clark | 429 | 6.04% | |
| Total votes | 7,105 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Lovett | 1,948 | 40.38% | |
| Republican | Pamela D. Varkony | 1,632 | 33.83% | |
| Republican | Bob Daday | 925 | 19.17% | |
| Republican | Robert E. Smith Jr | 319 | 6.62% | |
| Total votes | 4,824 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Roy Afflerbach | 8,947 | 52.69% | |
| Republican | Bob Lovett | 8,034 | 47.31% | |
| Total votes | 16,981 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
See also
References
- 1 2 3 "GENERAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 2001". home.lehighcounty.org. Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ↑ WITTMAN, BOB (December 22, 2000). "Allentown Mayor Heydt says he will not run for re-election ** "It's time for me to move on,' he announces tearfully. He led efforts to fluoridate water and remove canopies". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ↑ Nerl, Daryl (November 9, 2005). "Pawlowski pummels Heydt ** Allentown residents show confidence in Democrat, giving him 59 percent of vote". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- 1 2 NERL, DARYL (May 30, 2001). "Bennett appeals mayoral results ** Election official and campaign manager say Democratic votes might be recounted next week. ** Allentown". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ↑ "Mayoral Primary Candidate Q&A: Democrat Siobhan 'Sam' Bennett". www.mcall.com. The Morning Call. April 27, 2005. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ↑ WITTMAN, BOB (February 9, 2001). "Allentown furniture dealer seeks Dem nod for mayor ** David A. Clark wants to reopen Hamilton Street to four lanes to stimulate revitalization. ** Allentown". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ↑ NERL, DARYL (January 11, 2001). "Pamela Varkony says she's in mayor race ** Allentown councilwoman reaches out to Hispanics. She has pressed for "digital district.' ** Allentown". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ↑ DONLEY, ED (May 9, 2001). "Why you should vote for J. Robert Lovett". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ↑ WITTMAN, BOB (January 8, 2001). "Mayoral hopeful declares candidacy ** Robert E. Smith Jr., 39, was an appointed city councilman for 13 months in 1998 and 1999. ** Allentown". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ↑ PLETZ, RHONDA (May 9, 2001). "Why you should vote for Robert P. Daday". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- 1 2 WITTMAN, BOB (May 16, 2001). "It'll be Lovett vs. Afflerbach ** Two capture top spots in Allentown mayoral primary. Dem Bennett wants recount". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ↑ NERL, DARYL (December 7, 2001). "Lovett spent $25 per vote ** GOP candidate who lost bid for Allentown mayor used $200,000 during general election. ** Allentown". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ↑ Sorensen, Jim (September 10, 2015). "Why Bob Lovett lost Allentown mayoral election". www.mcall.com. Alden Global Capital. Retrieved January 28, 2023.