This is the fourth in our series highlighting the key mayoral races in the Commonwealth.

After a resounding win in the Democratic primary in May, Jaime Arroyo, a two-term City Council member, seems poised to capture the Lancaster mayor’s office but it will not be a walkover. Green Party candidate Tony Dastra and independent Woody Chandler are Arroyo’s challengers.

Jaime Arroyo (D)

• Experience: Vice President of Lancaster City Council (2024-present); Chief Executive Officer at ASSETS (2022-present); Chief Strategy Officer, Community Action Partnership (2020-22)
• Priorities
  • Driving equitable growth, empowering small businesses, and creating opportunities that strengthen our community
  • Leading with integrity, accountability, and action to meet the needs of every resident and build trust in our city’s future
  • Ensuring safe streets, quality housing, and a community where every person has the tools they need to succeed.
• Education: B.S., Millersville University ’10; MBA, Drexel University ’16
• Quotable: “I believe in the future of this city. We need a mayor who can bring people together, make smart choices, and help make sure progress reaches everyone. We need a mayor you can trust. We need a mayor who shows up.”
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Tony Dastra (G)

• Experience: Works in Lancaster Township’s Public Works Department across GIS mapping, stormwater, traffic, and grants. He is also responsible for the Township Communications channels.
• Priorities
  • Build more housing and fight to stabilize rent
  • Create a citywide composting system
  • Reform city policing
• Education: B.S., Arizona State University ’17
• Quotable: “Anyone who still holds the criticism that ‘this guy is too young and too inexperienced to know what he’s doing in this position’ is just lying to themselves to make them feel better about making the wrong choice in November.”
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

J.S. “Woody” Chandler (I)

• Experience: retired High School English teacher, School District of Lancaster. Navy veteran
• Priorities
  • Tackle speeding to protect pedestrians
  • Wants to meet with residents from the southeast neighborhood to address their concerns after many people have claimed their quadrant has been overlooked by city government.
• Education: B.A, University of Pittsburgh ’02; M.A., University of Pittsburgh ’03
• Quotable: “The whole idea of the Democratic process is there’s more than one choice.”
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram