— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Bethlehem City Council member Grace Crampsie Smith is running for mayor of the Christmas City, saying she will focus on fiscal management and improving neighborhoods.
She is a Democrat, setting up a primary matchup with incumbent J. William Reynolds.
Let’s get to the point, though. Here is her statement:
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January 29th, 2025
Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith Announces Candidacy for Mayor
Will focus on fiscal management, smart growth, neighborhoods, infrastructure
Grace Crampsie Smith, a Democrat, has announced her candidacy for Mayor of
Bethlehem.
Crampsie Smith was appointed to City Council in September of 2019, after
winning the May primary for a 2 year term. She then ran for re-election in 2021 and was
elected to a 4 year term, which expires at the end of 2025.
She is Chair of the Finance Committee, serves on the Community Development and Public Works Committees, and has served on the Public Safety Committee. She also serves on the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and the Bethlehem Mental Health Services Appeals Board.
Grace was born into a politically and civically active family, with her father being a Chief
of Police, her mother a nurse, and several of her 6 siblings holding political office. She is
the mother of three children: Attorney Shannon Yerger, Dr. Bridget Smith, and Brendan
Smith. She also has two granddaughters.
“I have devoted my entire professional life to representing and serving others, with over
15 years working in County Governments, and over five years on Bethlehem City
Council, I have always assured sound fiscal management of public funds while working
for the people. As both a resident and a qualified candidate, I am committed to leading
Bethlehem toward a future that balances smart development with the preservation of
our rich history and unique neighborhoods.” said Grace Crampsie Smith.
“Assuring public health and safety, balancing economic and community development with housing that is inclusive and affordable, and encouraging sound fiscal management is a top
priority. It has been an honor and privilege to represent and serve the members of our
diverse Bethlehem community.”
As councilwoman, Crampsie Smith amended the LERTA, so that developers must build
affordable housing or pay a fee in lieu in LERTA defined areas. She then further
amended the LERTA to double the fee in lieu amount. She sponsored a resolution to
assure insurance coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder care for first responders.
She also introduced a responsible contractor ordinance in addition to passing legislation
to ban the sale of pets from puppy mills within the city.
Crampsie Smith received a Masters Degree in Counseling from Lehigh University, and.
Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Social Welfare from Bloomsburg University.
Crampsie Smith has spent her career working as a school counselor, addictions
counselor and administrator of services for those with developmental disabilities and
mental health diagnoses and their families. She has also taught at the community
college focused on the Americans with Disabilities Act and Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act.
Crampsie Smith is a member of the NAACP Community Advisory Board, American
Legion Auxiliary, Lehigh Valley 4 All, Lehigh Valley ROAR, Bethlehem City Democratic
Committee, Northampton County Council of Democratic Women, Northampton County
Democratic Committee, Bethlehem Food Co-op, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Church.
In 2022, Crampsie Smith received the Outstanding Elected Democratic Woman of the
Year Award by the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women for her
achievements.
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Her campaign manager is Brandon Faust.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 