BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lehigh County Commissioner Ron Beitler has changed his voter registration from Republican to unaffiliated, saying the decision reflects years of frustration with the direction of both major political parties.
Beitler discussed the change during an appearance on this week's "Lehigh Valley Political Pulse" with host Tom Shortell, describing the move as something he had been considering for years.
“It really was over time a slow burn and something that I’ve been considering now for several years,” Beitler said. “I felt that the two parties have kind of gone away from the things that I feel strongly about.”
Beitler served eight years as a Lower Macungie Township supervisor before being elected to the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners — originally as a Republican.
But he said his political philosophy hasn’t changed.
"I’ve always kind of been exactly the same person,” he said. “I haven’t changed."
Beitler grew up in a union household and said he originally was a registered Democrat through college before eventually aligning with the Republican Party.
“I actually grew up in a decidedly Democrat household, very much a union family,” he said.
Ultimately, Beitler said the decision to become unaffiliated reflects concerns he has with both parties — particularly around the growth of executive power at the federal level.
“I think the best, most high-profile example where both parties have failed would be executive power overreach at the federal level,” he said.
At the same time, Beitler emphasized that local government issues rarely fall along strict partisan lines.
Much of county government focuses on overseeing services and programs required by the state, he said.
“We’re here in Lehigh County providing backstop services for vulnerable residents,” he said. “County government is very nuts-and-bolts oriented.”
Beitler said the change has felt “freeing,” removing what he described as barriers created by party labels.
“Political affiliation has become a barrier,” he said. “It’s become a barrier when you’re talking to someone one-on-one. It’s become a barrier particularly on social media.”
He said many residents have approached him since the announcement to say they share similar frustrations with the two-party system.
“I want to be talking to the exhausted majority,” Beitler said.
Beitler was re-elected in 2025 and said he has no immediate plans beyond serving his current term.
“There’s an equal chance that I’m just done after 16 years,” he said.
The full conversation is available in the video player above and on the PBS39 YouTube channel.
