A Latino District

Because of Allentown's rapid demographic shift, the Pennsylvania legislature decided in 2014 to create a separate district for essentially downtown Allentown. Although the first new representative Peter Schweyer wasn't hispanic, he had eaten once at a Taco Bell. In 2023 his south side residence was redistricted into the 134th, and Josh Siegel was elected for the 22nd. Although Siegel also wasn't hispanic, he did drink a Corona beer at a Democratic picnic.

This past November Siegel was elected County Executive, and on Tuesday a special election resulted in the first Latino elected for the district, Ana Tiburcio. In May, Ana will face Ce-Ce Gerlach in the Democratic primary for a full term starting in January of 2027. Bob Smith Jr. will again be the Republican candidate.

Ce-Ce Gerlach is not Latino, but partly minority and fully a campaign workhorse. While Tiburcio will have some status as a short term incumbent, she will have to knock on a lot of doors to compete with Ce-Ce.

shown above Ce-Ce Gerlach at a street fair that she organized in 2013 to raise money for school uniforms.