Donchez, Reynolds Battle to be Bethlehem Mayor

Two incumbent Bethlehem city councilmen—Bob Donchez and J. William Reynolds—are seeking the Democratic Party nomination to be the city’s next mayor.

Donchez, 63, is serving his fifth term on council. He is a retired teacher who worked for 35 years in the Allentown School District and most recently served as a legislative aide to state Reps. Joe Brennan and Dan McNeill in the 133rd Legislative District.

Reynolds, 31, is serving his second term on council. He is currently a social studies teacher at William Allen High School in Allentown. Before then, he was the chief legislative aide to state Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-135.

The winner of the primary will likely be the next mayor of Bethlehem. No Republicans—or any other candidates—have expressed an intention to run.

Bethlehem Patch has asked the two men to answer a series of questions and has posted their answers in their entirety.

Click on the name of the candidate to read his information, including educational and family background as well as each candidate's vision for the city and the mayor's role.

Bob Donchez

J. William Reynolds

Donchez and Reynolds have been in several face-to-face debates, which have grown testy at times.

They meet one last time at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Grand Ballroom of the Historic Hotel Bethlehem in an event sponsored by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

It will be taped for airing on WFMZ-TV’s Business Matters, hosted by Chamber President Tony Iannelli. The taped program will air on WFMZ-TV at 7:30 p.m. Monday, primary election eve.