Allentown 22nd District Special Election Focuses on Education

Candidates debate school funding, curriculum, and community engagement ahead of pivotal state House race.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Candidates for the 22nd District state House seat in Allentown, Pennsylvania faced off in a televised debate, with education emerging as a key focus. Democrat Ana Tiburcio and Republican Robert E. Smith, both former Allentown School Board members, discussed issues like school funding, curriculum flexibility, and community outreach. The special election on February 24th could sway control of the state House, where Democrats currently hold a narrow majority.

Why it matters

The 22nd District race is seen as a crucial battleground that could tip the balance of power in the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives. Both parties have put significant resources into the contest, as the district leans Democratic but has a history of competitive elections. The outcome could have major implications for education policy and funding in the state.

The details

The debate, hosted by Lehigh Valley Public Media, featured Democrat Ana Tiburcio, an Allentown School Board member, and Republican Robert E. Smith, a former school board member. The candidates discussed a range of education issues, with Smith advocating for school choice legislation and the restoration of state reimbursements for charter school tuition. Tiburcio called for increased funding for Allentown's public schools, but did not outline specific policy proposals. Both candidates emphasized the need for stronger connections between legislators and the local community.

  • The special election will be held on February 24, 2026.
  • The debate was the first and only televised event ahead of the special election.

The players

Ana Tiburcio

A Democrat and Allentown School Board member who owns a tax preparation company.

Robert E. Smith

A Republican and former Allentown School Board member who works as a program specialist for a mental health provider.

Josh Siegel

The former state representative for the 22nd District who resigned in late 2025 to become Lehigh County executive.

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What they’re saying

“I have teachers in my family, I have friends that are teachers, and they just want to be creative. They want to be able to teach, and not have to put your curriculum, PowerSchool, these things that they give the teachers, that they have to go through hoops to figure out. It's just not right.”

— Robert E. Smith, Candidate (mcall.com)

“The connection is not there between legislators and the community. Some people are afraid because they don't believe some information stays in the cloud. And what I mean about that, is just that, how are we able to connect? Whatever we are saying in English, we should also stay in Spanish. You should show up more to the community meetings.”

— Ana Tiburcio, Candidate (mcall.com)

What’s next

The special election will be held on February 24, 2026, with the winner serving the remainder of former Rep. Josh Siegel's term. Both Tiburcio and Smith have also announced they will seek election in the May 2026 primary for a full two-year term beginning in 2027.

The takeaway

The 22nd District special election highlights the pivotal role education policy can play in state legislative races, with the candidates offering contrasting visions for issues like school funding, curriculum flexibility, and community engagement. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.