FREEMANSBURG, Pa. — Gerald C. Yob has done it again.
The 96-year-old Democrat was re-elected Tuesday to his 12th term as borough mayor, defeating Republican Will Power with 57 percent of the vote, according to complete but unofficial Northampton County election returns.
Results showed Yob with 301 votes to Power's 218, with 12 uncounted write-ins.
Yob will be 100 in the final year of his next term.
He has been a public official in the borough for 56 years — 44 years as mayor and 12 years on borough council before that.
The borough park was dedicated in his name in 2019.
Yob is a 1948 graduate of Liberty High School in Bethlehem. He worked as a mechanic, and in the No. 2 Machine Shop at Bethlehem Steel.
Whether his political longevity has set a record isn’t exactly clear. The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs says it doesn’t keep records on who’s held elected seats the longest.
Earlier this year, Yob told LehighValleyNews.com he wasn’t planning on slowing down.
"I know most of the people in town," he said. "Most of us get along pretty good. I like it.
“I’m getting things done. You know that park is named after me because I’ve done what I’ve said I was going to do.”
Election results will remain unofficial until certified on Nov. 18.
