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Allentown developer Nat Hyman, a longtime Democrat, is entering the race for city mayor as a Republican the first GOP candidate to throw his hat into the ring.

In a news release Sunday, Hyman, a West End resident, announced his candidacy emphasizing his experience as a real estate developer and criticizing three-term incumbent Mayor Ed Pawlowski.

"It is undeniable that there is a fundamental lack of leadership and an absolute loss of trust in the present administration," Hyman said in the release. "I am committed to seeing Allentown realize its potential, restoring integrity to the mayor's office and providing an environment necessary for families and businesses not just to survive by thrive."

Hyman, 53, switched his party affiliation in the last week. He is best known as the founder of Hyman Properties, an Allentown-based real estate group that restores former manufacturing buildings into market-rate apartments. Hyman Properties owns several highly visible buildings in Allentown including Adelaide Mills at Hamilton and Race streets, the Tribeca building at Linden Street and American Parkway, Livingston Apartments in the 1400 block of Hamilton Street and a former book bindery on Gordon Street along the Jordan Creek.

According to his news release, Hyman moved to Allentown 22 years ago when he relocated the headquarters of retail chain Landau in the city. He attended Parkland High School before graduating from The Hill School, a boarding school in Pottstown. Hyman is a graduate of Georgetown University and has a master's degree from Columbia University, according to his news release.

As Allentown remains under federal investigation, six candidates for mayor have circled around three-term incumbent Mayor Ed Pawlowski, but until now, they have all been Democrats.

Pawlowski, 51, announced last week that he will seek a fourth term in office. Challenging him for the Democratic nomination in the May 16 primary will be Siobhan "Sam" Bennett, 59, the owner of a city bed and breakfast; David Jones, 52, a Lehigh County commissioner and pastor; Charlie Thiel, 50, an Allentown School District board member and former security company executive; Ray O'Connell, 67, Allentown City Council president and a former ASD administrator; Joshua Siegel, 23, a student at Seton Hall University; and Nathan Woodring, 54, a bus driver and former Wilson borough councilman.

Hyman said he decided to enter the race several weeks ago because he doesn't believe the other candidates are equipped to run a city that is essentially a $100 million business.

"The only preparation for being a CEO is being a CEO," he said.

As the only Republican to enter the race so far, Hyman could have a fast track to the November election. If no other Republican enters , , Hyman would be a near lock for the Republican nomination, guaranteeing him the right to square off against the eventual Democratic nominee.

Hyman said he still agrees with the values and beliefs of the Democratic Party, but feels the local party has abandoned him. Hyman said he is embarrassed to be associated with the same party as Pawlowski.

Hyman said some may question his party change, but the end result is more important than the route taken to get there, he said. Residents of Allentown should ask themselves who will do the best job, Hyman said.

"To the people of Allentown I would say, 'You own a company. Who do you want to run that company?'" Hyman said. "If the answer isn't Nat Hyman then don't vote for me."

eopilo@mcall.com

Twitter @emilyopilo

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Developer Nat Hyman enters Allentown mayoral race as a Republican - Allentown Morning Call