Platform
Here are some of the issues I will prioritize if elected. But we all know if every politician did what they said during a campaign, we'd be living in a far better world... but we're not. I intend to follow through. People over party, people over politics
Government Accountability
​As a journalist, I have spent much of my career advocating for transparency and holding those in power accountable. I believe that government accountability is crucial for ensuring that public officials serve the people, not their own interests, or their parties. Transparency allows citizens to understand the decision-making process and demand that leaders act in ways that align with their needs and values. Without these principles, corruption and mistrust thrive, undermining the democratic process. By promoting accountability and transparency, we can strengthen our communities and build a government that truly works for everyone.
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How Will We Do it?
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Host more community-friendly council meetings that actively encourage public engagement and amplify resident voices.
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Legislate strict transparency standards for both campaign conduct and city administration.
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Strengthen accountability in election financing by requiring full financial reports to be filed no later than one year after a candidate is officially placed on the ballot.
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Commit to releasing the findings of former FBI agent Scott Curtis regarding the discrimination investigation.
Fair and Affordable Housing
Access to fair, affordable, and equitable housing is a fundamental right. Too often, Allentown residents find themselves priced out of their own neighborhoods while out-of-town hedge funds and investors buy up properties before locals even have a chance to make an offer. This drives up rents, increases housing insecurity, and makes it harder for working families to stay in the city they call home. We must put policies in place that prioritize local homebuyers, protect tenants from predatory practices, and ensure that affordable housing remains available for those who need it most.
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How will we get it done?
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We will legislate a waiting period that gives local residents the first opportunity to purchase local properties.
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We will incentivize long-term, community-minded development—not just the bare minimum to qualify for tax breaks.
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Hold Slumlords accountable.
Strengthening Unions & Local Jobs
Strong unions mean strong communities. Workers deserve fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize without fear of retaliation. Increasing union strength in Allentown will help ensure that residents are not exploited and that their labor is properly valued. Additionally, we need to create more local job opportunities for our residents, ensuring that the economic benefits of growth stay within the city rather than being outsourced. Investing in small businesses, incentivizing local hiring, and partnering with unions to protect workers' rights are critical steps in creating a more stable and prosperous Allentown.
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How Will We Do It?​
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We will legislate a waiting period that gives local residents the first opportunity to purchase local properties.
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We will incentivize long-term, community-minded development—not just the bare minimum to qualify for tax breaks.
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Hold Slumlords accountable.
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Introduce a Responsible Contractor Ordinance to ensure city projects are completed with high quality and cost efficiency.
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Fund apprenticeship programs to build a skilled workforce capable of upholding strong standards for generations to come.
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Incentivize, rather than mandate, local businesses to hire locally,
Public Transportation
According to Allentown Vision 2030, 82% of employed residents work outside the city, placing a strain on both our public transportation system and the workers who rely on it. Strengthening and expanding public transit is essential to ensure that residents can access job opportunities without unnecessary financial burden or time-consuming commutes. At the same time, we must also focus on creating more jobs within Allentown to reduce the need for long commutes in the first place. A city that invests in both public transit and local employment is a city that thrives economically and socially.
Safety & Crime Prevention
Ensuring the safety of all Allentown residents means addressing both external threats and the systemic issues that exist within our city. Public safety is not just about law enforcement—it’s about creating a city where everyone feels secure in their homes, on their streets, and in their workplaces. This is a multi level issue that starts with addressing the root causes of violence by improving community health, local economy and education. We also need to address issues like poverty and addiction that contribute to crime. By working collaboratively with community organizations, social services, families. This will allow the Police to spend more time working on violent and unsolved crimes. Together we can take a holistic approach to safety that focuses on prevention, not just reaction.
Other Important issues
Women's Rights
Their body, their choice, simple as that. If we don't defend our rights, they will be taken away.
Investing in Youth
Investing in our youth means investing in the future of Allentown. By providing strong education, mentorship, things to do and job opportunities, we can empower young people to build successful lives, strengthen our local economy, and create a safer, more vibrant community for generations to come.
Education
You can't talk about investing in youth with talking about education, and public education is the cornerstone to a strong community.
Homelessness
As someone deeply committed to community welfare, Ben Stemrich understands that addressing homelessness is not just about shelter—it’s about dignity, opportunity, and strengthening Allentown as a whole.
Fighting Facism
Fuck facism in all forms.
Your Problems Are Important Too
There are countless issues in our vibrant city. Some that effect a few, some that effect many. And the truth is they are all important, no matter how big or small. The issues listed above are some I've seen and experienced first hand, and hear about regularly. But that doesn't mean I won't take issues that aren't listed, just as serious. We are all living our own story, and the more we are willing to listen and empathize with each other, the stronger our community becomes. And I believe the absolute very least every elected official owes their constituents is to listen, and respond. It's the ones who act, that are special.
