Matthew Tuerk (born March 18, 1975) is an American politician and economic development official serving as the mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania since January 2022.

[2] He received an MBA with a concentration in international economic development from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

[1] Tuerk became an assistant director of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) in 2008 and spent five years with the organization.

He also co-founded Make Lehigh Valley, the region's first "hackerspace" located at AEDC's Bridgeworks Enterprise Center business incubator.

At LVEDC, he worked in a variety of functional areas, including administration, communications, economic development, entrepreneurial startup support, investor relations, marketing, and research.

[5] The Morning Call newspaper called the Democratic primary race "historically competitive", with Tuerk running against three primary candidates already holding office in the city, Mayor Ray O'Connell, City Council President Julio Juridy, and Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach.

[5][7] He also sought to connect with voters who requested mail-in ballots in what, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was the first municipal primary to allow no-excuse voting by mail.

[5] The election marked the first time an incumbent mayor in Allentown lost a primary since James P. Ritter defeated Clifford Bartholomew in 1973.

[2][12][13][14] Tuerk's administration has been characterized by significant staff turnover, a relatively high number of homicides in the city, especially at after-hour clubs, pedestrian deaths, allegations of racism in his administration, ineffectual leadership and management, and a lack of transparency with Allentown City Council.

[27] Allentown has also been plagued by violence at after hours clubs, including the January 22, 2023 shooting of Blessing Taveras, and the June 18, 2023 fatal stabbing of Kevin Tarafa.

[30] On June 5, 2023, there was a broad daylight shooting in front of an AutoZone in Southside Allentown, resulting in the death of one individual.

[34] Allentown concluded 2023 with three separate shootings in a single night resulting in two additional homicides, including the death of a 1-year old and 44-year-old grandmother.

[36][37] The letter was released nearly nine months to the date that NAACP leadership had met with Tuerk following the departure of two senior African-American cabinet officials in Allentown.

[36][37] During this time former Human Resources Director Nadeem Shazad threatened to sue the city over allegations that he was forced to resign and improperly terminated from his position.

Shazad alleged that the City Council previously made requests for information about severance payments and Tuerk's administration ignored them.

"[41][44] He further stated "The citizens of Allentown deserve to know if there are chronic problems of mismanagement or incompetence that are affecting the ability to deliver city services.

[45][46] Despite this emphasis, the city has witnessed a number of road related fatalities and vehicular incidents and has yet to produce a city-wide plan or strategy to address these deaths.

In Allentown, there were five pedestrian-involved accidents in 2022, alone, including the death of 25-year old paraprofessional Angela Yowakim, who was struck while walking to work.

He suggested that the Mayor look at "cutting the excess in his own office" and that the City Council would not be intimidated into passing his tax increase.

[72][73]  After multiple failed budget proposals, Allentown Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach stated "the ball is in the mayor's court.

"[77] Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach, expressed concern that Ocasio's firing could put the city in financial trouble as the result of a lawsuit.

[77] Nadeem Shazad, who had earlier expressed interest in suing the city over his alleged wrongful ouster, urged council to pass the vote of no-confidence.

Shazad alleged that Tuerk had directed him to fire Karen Ocasio, but he had refused, adding to tension between him and the administration.

In a letter to council in support of the vote of no confidence, Shazad stated "It has come to my attention that Mayor Tuerk terminated the employment of Karen Ocasio without cause, solely based on his belief that she was a troublemaker.

"[79] Shazad stated that Ocasio was one of many employees that accused Tuerk and his management teams of discrimination, retaliation, intimidation and unjust terminations.

In his writing in support of the vote of no confidence, Shazad said this step was important to show "that discrimination and unfair treatment will not be tolerated within our city government.

He stated that "the work you're doing up here is diminishing the respect of the body"[80] Former Human Resources Director Nadeem Shazad spoke to council indicating that he was worried that lawsuits against the city would result in tax increases and that the Mayor Tuerk "ruled through fear" and "lacked leadership" and "He lacks passion; he has no compassion; he has no strength to be a good manager.

"[83][84][80] Karen Ocasio who also addressed council stated Tuerk "kicked her while she was down", firing her days after her father had passed away.

[80][83][82] On December 21, 2023, Mayor Tuerk announced Allentown was among 22 finalists to potentially receive millions in federal funding for economically distressed areas.

[87][88] The city intends to the potential funding from the program to help address barriers such as transportation, childcare and training.