Politics & Government

Can Lone Republican Candidate Win Council Seat?

Chris "The Hot Dog Guy" Morales is trying to become first Republican on City Council in more than 10 years.

In Bethlehem, the question of the day on Tuesday will be whether a Republican can wrest one City Council seat away from the Democratic Party for the first time in more than a decade.

Chris Morales, who is better known and is even campaigning as “The Hot Dog Guy,” is the lone Republican seeking any citywide office—in his case one of four open seats on City Council.

See Morales’ Facebook campaign page here.

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The businessman who co-owns the Easy Weenies hot dog cart that once parked regularly on W. Fourth Street—but more recently has been a fixture in the parking lot at Lowe’s on Eighth Avenue—would have to be considered a long shot even though he would only need to beat one of the four Democrats running.

No Republican has sat in a City Council seat since before 2000.

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

His hot dog cart generated controversy in South Bethlehem as certain businesses lobbied the city to keep him away from them. They complained that the cart brought littering, loitering and provided competition to other eateries that pay real estate taxes.

While the Callahan administration favored allowing his and other street carts to thrive, City Council and City Hall bureaucracy struggled to bring full closure to the issue and Morales became frustrated.

During the primary race, Patch asked the Democratic candidates to fill out a questionnaire. Click on their names below to see how they answered:

  • City Council President Eric Evans, who is seeking his second term.
  • City Councilwoman Karen Dolan, who is seeking her third term.
  • Bryan Callahan, a teacher and older brother of outgoing Mayor John Callahan.
  • Political newcomer Adam Waldron, a house painter who could become the first West Sider on City Council since Don Cunningham left council to become mayor.


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