EASTON, Pa. — City council has two seats being contested in Tuesday's Democratic primary, with both featuring a face-off between an incumbent council member and a challenger.
The primary comes amid significant action in Easton, as the city witnesses substantial development as it continues to see issues related to affordable housing and parking.
Easton’s District 1 consists of wards 2, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, and 4, while District 3 is comprised of wards 9, 10E, 10W, 11, and 12.
District 1
In District 1, Councilman Roger Ruggles is being challenged by Frank Graziano III.
Graziano, who has worked at Tower Products for over 18 years, serves on Easton’s Planning Commission in addition to participating in community initiatives including the West Ward Neighborhood Plan.
A lifelong city resident, Graziano has stressed the importance of family values – he married his high school sweetheart and raised three sons here – and the importance of building a better future as keystones of his campaign.
If elected, Graziano has said he will focus on creating a more transparent government accessible to all residents, advocating for affordable housing as the issue becomes bigger and bigger throughout the city, enhancing community spaces to promote togetherness, and supporting small businesses to enhance the local economy.
Ruggles is a retired engineering professor at Lafayette College, working in the civil and environmental engineering department since 1985.
He was selected as a Fulbright Scholar in 2000, teaching four undergraduate and graduate courses through Markere University in Uganda.
He has been on city council since 2008, most recently sitting on the public safety committee.
In 2018, Ruggles ran in the Democratic primary for the Lehigh Valley's U.S. House seat, coming in fourth place with 5.4% of the vote.
He has been a strong advocate for upgrading the police department, pushing for vehicle replacements and new electric vehicles for the force.
Last year Ruggles made an attempt to use prospective savings from new electric police vehicles to fund a property tax rebate for senior citizens.
Outside council, Ruggles has also volunteered his time as a faculty mentor for Lafayette’s football team.
District 3
In council's District 3, challenger Susan Hartranft-Bittinger aims to take the seat of Taiba Sultana.
Hartranft-Bittinger, a lifelong South Side Easton resident, has positioned herself as an advocate for the community’s education system.
She currently sits on the Easton Area School Board, and has been on committees for Building and Grounds, Security, Personnel and Negotiations, and Athletics.
If elected, Hartranft-Bittinger said she aims to listen to community members, research their wants and needs, and work tirelessly to address what is required of an evolving community.
She said her campaign is centered around “fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving Easton where every voice is heard, and every individual is valued.”
Sultana has served on Easton City Council for four years, championing bills and resolutions aimed to protect women’s reproductive rights, promoting inclusivity and stability to secure affordable housing, and expanding paid parental leave for city employees.
Previously, Sultana worked with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and the Easton Planning Commission. She currently serves as vice-chair of HOMES Easton, which promotes affordable housing.
The councilwoman has also participated in various community service programs, including shoe giveaways for children and adults, providing monthly hot meals for those in need, and providing backpacks for children returning to school.
Sultana has said she will continue to pursue change in the city, focusing on uplifting the working class and creating a more inclusive and equitable community to encourage growth and success.
There are no Republicans on the ballot in District 1 or District 3.
Unopposed on the ballot
In District 2, Julie Zando-Dennis is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket, while Sharbel Koorie runs unopposed on the Republican ticket.
Zando-Dennis’ former opponent, Lance Wheeler, dropped off the ballot in March after facing challenges to his nominating petition.
That sets up a race between Zando-Dennis and Koorie in the November general election.
