Is it ever too early to look ahead to the 2009 Bethlehem Mayoral Election? I did not think so.
Yes, believe it or not, Mayor John Callahan is able to run for another term as mayor of Bethlehem. Callahan was elected in a special election to serve the remainder of Don Cunningham's 2nd term, and was later elected to serve his first term, the current term of his adminsitration.
This blogger believes that Callahan will seek re-election and will face a challenge in the primary.
Here are the list of potential primary challengers:
J. Michael Schweder- rumor has it that he will be retiring from his post at AT&T soon, and is looking at a 2009 run. Schweder is the current council president and one of the strongest critics of the Callahan administration. Mr. Schweder could receive the backing of some very influential Democrats like TJ Rooney.
Joseph Leeson, Esquire- current member of City Council, local attorney and puppet of Schweder. If Schweder does not run, expect that Leeson will, with Schweder's strong support. Leeson was the top vote getter as a candidate for council in 2005 and could a tough opponent for Callahan.
Dana Grubb- former city employee and candidate for city council. Frequent critic of the current administration. Probably does not have the support to win, but may run just to cause trouble for Callahan. Probabaly would not run if Schweder or Leeson ran.
Anthony Rybak, Esq.- local attorney and former mayoral candidate. He does not like Callahan and that may be motivation enough for him to run, again.
There it is folks, my short list of challengers to Callahan in the 2009 Mayoral Election.
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10 comments:
I can't conceive that Leeson would want the job. Too big a pay cut. Why do you consider him a Schweder "puppet." My own view is that he's established a reputation as an independent thinker.
Bernie, I think that Leeson does a lot of the "dirty" work for Schweder. Did you see the article in this morning's MC about Callahan switching cars? That is just overly critical.
It may be too much of a pay cut, but he still has to be mentioned as a possibility.
I do not agree with Callahan on every issue, but I do like his overall plan for the city.
The criticism at the car is a bit much, I agree.
If Schweder is crazy enough to run against Callahan, it will be the end of the old guard in Bethlehem.
To run against Callahan, you would have to have nothing to lose and plenty to gain. I'm not sure what an established attorney would have to gain, but I agree, he would certainly have plenty to lose (whether or not he wins), either in terms of salary or in terms of political capital.
LVDem-I take it you believe that Callahan would defeat Schweder. I am not too sure, but it will be fun to watch. I think Callahan and Schweder are alot like the Yankess, either you love them or you dislike them. There is no middle.
Callahan beat Delgrosso in 2003, who was a long serving member and just as much a fixture as Schweder. Schweder would not be the first old guard candidate that Callahan has dispatched.
Callahan takes nothing for granted in elections. He works his tail off and is an excellent fundraiser. I honestly think any race he gets into, he's the expected winner.
You do not show much confidence in the old guard. The Callahan-Delgrosso race was a classic. Less than a 100 votes separating the two, if I remember correctly.
I agree with you though, Callahan should win a race between him and Schweder. With that said, I would not count out the old guard yet.
I don't count them out, but I do point out that every year, they lose more and more votes/power.
No one of substance will run against Callahan becuase they know he can't be beat..Rybak got a new job so he won't be running for anything.. I expect even the republicans won't bother fielding a candidate..Bob donchez would be tough to beat but he'll wait for Callahan to leave..
Good post.
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