Councilwoman defeats former mayor Andy Szekely with focus on transparency, infrastructure and community access
Councilwoman Rachael Bollens made borough history Tuesday night, becoming the first woman ever elected mayor of Lansdale, after unofficially defeating former mayor Andy Szekely by a decisive margin.
According to unofficial results from Montgomery County Voter Services, Mayor-elect Bollens earned 3,457 votes (2,494 in person, 963 by mail), while Szekely received 1,656 votes (1,425 in person, 231 by mail).
The total turnout across all nine precincts was 5,113 ballots, giving Bollens a 1,801-vote lead — or roughly 68 percent of the vote — and a clear mandate for her agenda centered on transparency, infrastructure investment and community engagement.
Bollens’ victory marks a first in the borough’s 153-year history — no woman has ever before served as mayor of Lansdale since its incorporation in 1872.
Mail-in voting strengthened Bollens’ lead significantly. She received 963 mail-in ballots, compared to just 231 for Szekely — a nearly 4-to-1 ratio that widened her Election Day advantage and underscored the continuing Democratic strength in Montgomery County’s suburban mail-in turnout.
Of her total, 28 percent came from mail-in votes, while Szekely’s share was just 14 percent.
“I built my campaign around what I believe to be forward-thinking and achievable goals for Lansdale. I made it a point not to focus too much on the potential of being the first female mayor, but standing here today, I can’t deny the weight and meaning of this milestone,” Bollen said. “To be a role model for my son, and for the young people who voted for the first time today, and to finally see women fully represented in our town’s leadership after 150 years, moves me beyond words. I’m so humbled and profoundly honored to be part of this historic moment for Lansdale.”
She said progress does not happen overnight – but she is ready to bring new energy, new ideas and a spirit of collaboration from all parties.
“Lansdale is ready to move forward, and I’m grateful to be a small part of that future,” she said. “I also want to acknowledge Andy and the other candidates who stepped forward to run. Putting your name on a ballot and choosing to serve your community takes courage and commitment, and I’m thankful that we all care enough about Lansdale to do it.”
A campaign built on access and modernization
Bollens, who represents Ward 1 on borough council, ran on a message of government transparency and modernization, promising to make Lansdale’s operations more accessible to residents. Her platform called for creating one-page public explainers for complex council issues, launching a “Lansdale Podcast” for project updates, and introducing virtual and in-person office hours for residents to meet directly with the mayor’s office.
She also advocated for a five-year budget forecast to stabilize long-term spending and guide infrastructure priorities, citing the need to modernize the borough’s aging electric grid, stormwater system and park facilities.
“I heard over and over from residents that they want more communication, more clarity and a stronger plan for what comes next,” Bollens said during her campaign. “Lansdale deserves a government that people can both understand and trust.”
Bollens also identified the borough’s unhoused population as a growing concern, highlighting recent collaborations with Montgomery County to open transitional housing as a model for future social partnerships.
Szekely emphasized oversight and fiscal restraint
Szekely, who served as Lansdale’s mayor from 2008 to 2018, sought a return to experienced, conservative management of borough operations. His campaign focused on fiscal oversight, citing turnover in the borough’s finance department and raising concerns about long-term debt and project costs.
He questioned large-scale redevelopment efforts — including the regional rail parking garage project — and opposed proposals such as the vacancy property tax, arguing that such measures expanded bureaucracy and risked new tax burdens for residents.
Szekely said the borough needed to “restore common sense and accountability,” warning that ongoing financial challenges required steadier leadership.
Bollens will be sworn in January 2026, succeeding Mayor Garry Herbert, who did not seek re-election, but rather won Bollens' seat in Ward 1.
Her immediate priorities include finalizing the borough’s 2026 budget, improving interdepartmental communication and implementing the public engagement initiatives outlined in her campaign.
Her administration is expected to continue support for downtown revitalization, stormwater infrastructure upgrades and economic development planning, while exploring new digital avenues for civic participation.
"I consider myself a spiritual, not religious human, but I carried this prayer in my heart on this journey and I want to end with a few words that have guided me: 'Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand,'" she said. "The light in me sees the light in you. Let's go Lansdale!"
Councilman Mike Yetter, who was successfully re-elected to his Ward 3 seat, offered congratulations to Bollens.
"After 154 years, I’m excited to see Mayor-elect Bollens lead Lansdale as our first woman and working mom to be Lansdale’s Mayor. She has great plans to bring her own style, energy, and ideas to the role," Yetter said. "Rachael will represent all Lansdale residents with distinction -- that was core to her campaign. But as a hardworking, single parent, she knows first hand what it means to raise a family in Lansdale and what it means to our families to have thriving parks, safe streets, and successful businesses."
