Democratic mayoral candidate Eddie Moran gives a speech to supporters gathered Nov. 2, 2019, at Jet Set Restaurant for a campaign event as he is looking to become the first latino mayor of Reading, which has a majority latino population. Moran is also seeking to become the first latino mayor of a major municipality in Pennsylvania's history. (Matt Smith for Keystone Crossroads)
Matt Smith / Keystone Crossroads
Matt Smith / Keystone Crossroads
Democratic mayoral candidate Eddie Moran gives a speech to supporters gathered Nov. 2, 2019, at Jet Set Restaurant for a campaign event as he is looking to become the first latino mayor of Reading, which has a majority latino population. Moran is also seeking to become the first latino mayor of a major municipality in Pennsylvania's history. (Matt Smith for Keystone Crossroads)
Incumbent Democrat Eddie Morán defeated his Republican challenger for mayor of Reading by a nearly four-to-one margin Tuesday, according to unofficial results from Berks County.
With all 44 precincts reporting, Morán had 4,055 votes and Joseph “Jose” Nuñez had 1,260. Write-ins accounted for 1,509 votes.
Those results do not include all mail-in and provisional ballots.
“This victory is for all of us who believe in a better Reading, a more inclusive and more prosperous future for our city,” Morán said. “It is testament of the power of unity, the strength of our community.”
The mayor said he has “never felt more confident” in Reading’s “collective ability” to overcome any obstacles, though he acknowledged challenges ahead.
“We will strive to create and foster a government that is transparent, accountable and responsive to your needs,” Morán said. “We will listen to your concerns and ideas. And we will take actions to make our city a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
During Morán’s administration, Reading has overcome some challenges. In 2022, Reading left Act 47 state oversight for financially distressed cities.
Elected as the first Latino mayor of Reading in 2019, Morán spent his first year and a half in office responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic fallout of businesses shutting down due to the public health crisis.
Morán had previously served as a school board member at the Reading School District, a role that influenced his decision to run for mayor.
“I was tired of seeing the youth that went for post-secondary education, and not coming back,” Morán said in an earlier interview. “I also get tired of seeing our youth engaging in negativity and not finding a better way of doing things.”
Under Morán, the city invested nearly $3 million in nonprofits that provide support to at-risk youth.
Reading is the fourth-largest city in the state. More than half of its population – 66.5% – identifies as Hispanic.
Results from Tuesday’s election are unofficial until certified by the state.
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