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 Latina, 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.
Well, the democrats have certainly kept that seat filled with people having few qualifications other than being loyal partisans.
ReplyDeleteI’ll hold back on my opinion of Tiburcio, but her lack of knowledge of state issues that she exhibited in the debate was shocking.
I’m sure the democrats will quickly bring her up to speed and tell her how to vote. Hell, Schlossberg might even do the voting for her if it proves too burdensome.
I'm excited to volunteer for Cece in the primary.
ReplyDelete