BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With primary petitions now filed, the Lehigh Valley’s election season is coming into clearer focus, with several races likely to be more competitive than they first appear.
On this episode of Lehigh Valley Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell sat down with Muhlenberg College political scientist Chris Borick to break down the field ahead of May's primary.
At the top of the ticket, Borick said the Democratic race in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District remains unsettled, with no obvious frontrunner among the four candidates.
“There's no, in my mind, clear far and away candidate,” he said.
Instead, Borick pointed to a combination of endorsements, fundraising and name recognition as key factors to watch.
He described Gov. Josh Shapiro’s endorsement of Bob Brooks as "a very, very important endorsement," particularly in a primary where voters lack the usual partisan cues.
Money will also play a major role, especially as candidates look to introduce themselves to voters across the region.
“I am certain you're going to see lots of ads,” Borick said.
"There's no, in my mind, clear far and away candidate."Chris Borick on PA-7
Former Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure may begin the race with stronger name recognition, Borick noted, but that advantage could shrink as better-funded campaigns ramp up outreach.
Do trends favor Democrats?
Looking ahead to November, Borick said broader political trends appear to favor Democrats, though he cautioned against applying that too rigidly to individual races.
“I think Democrats have reason for optimism on the aggregate,” he said, adding that “aggregate doesn't always predict what happens on an individualized basis.”
He pointed to Republican incumbent Ryan McKenzie as a candidate with clear strengths, including experience and resources, even as he faces a potentially difficult environment.
Further down the ballot, Borick highlighted the 16th state Senate district — a seat currently held by Republican Sen. Jarrett Coleman — as one to watch, given the number of Democrats running.
"This year opens the doors,” he said. “It doesn't guarantee anything… but it gives you an opening that you wouldn't have otherwise."
Shortell and Borick also explore a primary challenge to longtime state Sen. Lisa Boscola and a competitive Democratic race in the 22nd House District, underscoring how active this year’s primary season could be across the region.
For more on these races and what they signal for November, watch the full episode of Lehigh Valley Political Pulse in the YouTube player above, or anytime at https://www.youtube.com/@PBS39/podcasts.
