Primary election 2025: 3 compete for Reading City Council president
The winner of the primary will compete against the Republican candidate in the November general election.
Republican candidate Evelyn Morrison is running unopposed in the primary.
Candidates for the council president seat are elected to four-year terms.
The council president is elected by all voters in the city and is responsible for leading the council in its duties, including approving the city budget, contracts and ordinances, levying taxes, authorizing public improvements and approving the hiring of police and firefighters.
The position is paid $6,875 annually.
Incumbent is marked with an asterisk.
We asked the candidates in the opposed race three questions:
Question 1: How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you see it shaping the work of City Council, if you are elected council president?
Question 2: What would your top priorities be as council president in terms of setting the council's agenda?
Question 3: What would you do to ensure that all council members, regardless of political or personal differences, can work collaboratively?
District 2 Councilor Jaime Baez Jr. is running for council president on the Democratic ballot in the May 20 primary election.
Jaime Baez Jr.
Age: 35
Work/career experience: Small business owner, assistant to state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz; certified massage therapist.
Local government/community involvement: City Council District 2 representative, elected 2023. My community work began in 2012 with Atabey 360, participating in street cleanups and youth engagement.
Website: jaimeforthepeople.org
Answers:
1. My leadership style is collaborative, transparent and driven by action. I listen first, then act. As council president, I would foster an environment where voices are heard and initiatives are followed through. I believe in building consensus without compromising integrity, and in ensuring decisions reflect the needs of the people, not politics. My leadership would help City Council stay focused, grounded and responsive to the issues our constituents care about most.
2. My top priorities are housing, public safety and collaboration. I introduced the rent cap resolution to address skyrocketing rents, and I supported the gun safety ordinance that passed. As council president, I would keep these types of community-first policies at the forefront. I'd also focus on expanding access to mental health services, creating youth development opportunities and ensuring transparency in how resources are allocated. We must lead with solutions that empower every neighborhood.
3. I believe communication is the cornerstone of collaboration. I would work to build trust among council members through regular dialogue, one-on-one check-ins, and neutral facilitation of meetings. Regardless of political or personal differences, our duty is to serve our community with respect and unity. I'm committed to creating space for every member to be heard and ensuring our work reflects collective input and shared accountability.
Vanessa Campos
Age: 38
Education: Reading Area Community College; bachelor of arts in education, summa cum laude, and master of education, magna cum laude, Kutztown University.
District 1 Councilor Vanessa Campos is running for council president on the Democratic ballot in the May 20 primary election.
Work/career experience: Licensed real estate agent; former teacher and department head, Reading School District; educational specialist at BCIU; former lead teacher at a city preschool.
Local government/community involvement: City Council District 1 representative; board member, Reading Recreation Commission and Redevelopment Authority; member, city Nominations and Appointments Committee; volunteer with the 18th Wonder Association and South of Penn Task Force.
Answers:
1. My leadership experience in public service emphasizes on collaboration and inclusion. I am an active listener who prioritizes facts and data to inform my decisions. I would continue to exercise this reflective approach as president and encourage it within our council body. Communication is key when working together so maintaining consistent communication with council members, administration, stakeholders and constituents is my top priority. As an experienced leader, it is my goal to represent the legislative office with high standards and utmost regard. My professional character and demeanor are essential qualities needed for a leader to maintain order, balance and a growth mindset. I value open dialogue, agenda transparency, constituent accessibility, efficient operations within council and proactive engagement with administration. The work of City Council is to create balance in our city's government and advocate for our city's mission and progressive vision. My leadership background exemplifies this commitment to achieve our goals.
2. Expand on opportunities for engagement with stakeholders to collaborate on a unified vision to meet the needs of our growing city. I would ensure measurable goals to track progress and completion of our action items. Inclusion and accessibility are one of my top priorities since our city is enriched with diverse cultures, religions, languages, and historical assets. As councilor, I currently embrace issues that impact the equity of our communities. As president, I will continue to ensure our policies and agenda items are addressing inequalities within our population groups. One of my strongest qualities, as a leader, is my adaptability and innovative mindset. I am flexible enough to think out of the box in order to tackle our evolving political and socio-economic conditions in our city. As president, I would be open to varying perspectives when evaluating the outcome of unified efforts. I am committed to ensuring council remains fiscally responsible to secure a long-standing economic future.
3. Communication and involvement are key when bringing people together. Purpose and direction of tasks are also important. As councilors, we have a duty to attend our council meetings but we are also accountable for attending boards, commissions and authorities of choice. Communication helps all councilors stay informed of our city's operations and practices to educate our legislative decisions within council chambers. As president, it is important to bring people together — not only in council but also externally. It is a skill that comes with experience and which I have acquired very well. I am open to initiating conversations where all voices are heard from the perspective of a listener. This helps me accurately share the information to my constituents and fellow councilors for input. Above all, leaders must uphold a sense of respect and professionalism for others. I take pride in maintaining composure in challenging circumstances in order to engage in productive dialogue. I model this behavior to move past disagreements and align our efforts effectively.
Incumbent City Council President Donna Reed will face two challengers for the office on the Democratic ballot in the May 20 primary election.
*Donna Reed
Age: 72
Education: Bachelor of arts degree in political science and communications, The American University, Washington, DC.
Work/career experience: Reporter, columnist and editor at the Reading Eagle; Berks County coordinator Census 2000; assignment editor Berks Edition/Channel 69 News; vice president/communications at the former Berks County Chamber of Commerce; media and government outreach Strategic Reports Inc.; public relations manager Berks County Parks and Recreation Department; Cocalico editor/columnist at The Ephrata Review and contributor to LNP; editor Historical Review of Berks County; contributing writer Berks County Living magazine and other regional publications.
Local government/community involvement: Reading City Council District 5 representative, six terms; council president since January 2023; council representative to Reading Area Transportation Study board and council liaison to Stadium Commission and BCTV. Board member Crime Alert Berks County; Visions FCU Advisory Board member; trustee Berks History Center; board member Pagoda Foundation; founding member Reading Junior Police Academy; chair, Reading 275th anniversary committee.
Answers:
1. I see my leadership style as temperate, expecting my colleagues to understand the public trust they hold. I expect them to demonstrate respect to our constituents and to each other, particularly in times of disagreement. Streamlined communication with the administration and each other is important for the work of the city but, unfortunately, some colleagues don't adhere to the charter-mandated process. That creates additional work for the administration and our staff and can and has led to some confusion and miscommunication. I will continue to do my best to keep meetings moving along so the business of council can be accomplished.
2. Top priorities: Fiscal responsibility; clean and safe city through support of police, fire and public works and reducing blight; advancing efforts for economic development in the downtown and beyond via CRIZ, private developers, and public/private partnerships where feasible.
3. I've always been pleased that I've worked mostly with councilors over the years who were forthright and acted thoughtfully on legislation. Mostly, disagreements never impacted the true teamwork. I've seen factions arise lately which are concerning, particularly seemingly linked to the distractions during formal meetings of members apparently more focused on cellphones than the legislative process. What's being communicated and by whom? Are particular votes being directed by outside interests?
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