BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Lehigh County executive race is at risk of becoming a campaign of the haves versus the have-nots, as Democrat Josh Siegel has stockpiled 75 times as much funding as Republican Roger MacLean.
Reports filed last month show Siegel, a state representative from Allentown, had banked $200,403 by June 9.
By comparison, MacLean, Allentown's former police chief, had $2,666 on hand.
"This is not a small county. It's not a place where you feel like you could do it all with classic retail politics. It takes considerable finances right now, especially if your opponent is well funded."Chris Borick, a political science professor at Muhlenberg College
Candidates looking to run a competitive, countywide executive campaign generally need about $100,000 to finance ads, mailers, fundraising and other expenses, said Chris Borick, a political science professor at Muhlenberg College.
Candidates have won while spending less — two-term incumbent Phil Armstrong spent about $52,000 in each of his victories in 2017 and 2021 — but it's not common.
More often than not, the candidate who heavily outspends his or her opponent wins, Borick said.
For example, Republican incumbent Jane Ervin spent $183,882 on her 2005 campaign but was outspent by 2.45-to-1 margin by the victorious Democratic challenger Don Cunningam.
No Republican has won the executive race since.
"This is not a small county," Borick said. "It's not a place where you feel like you could do it all with classic retail politics. It takes considerable finances right now, especially if your opponent is well funded."
Borick said it's not unusual for candidates to drain their accounts to win a contested primary, but MacLean's $2,666 amount still was surprisingly low.
'A must win for conservatives'
MacLean, a former Allentown City Councilman, defeated former Allentown School Board Director Mike Welsh in May primary.
Records show his campaign has spent a total of $13,468 so far this year.
He did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment Friday.
MacLean and Welsh spent more of their time during the Republican primary attacking Siegel than each other. They portrayed him as a liberal extremist.Lehigh County executive Republican campaigns
Records show he raised $4,310 in the 30 days after the primary, $1,000 of which he donated to his own campaign. Allentown developer Manny Makhoul contributed $2,000 more.
Meanwhile, Siegel, who also served on Allentown City Council previously, raised $22,575 in the month after the primary.
He's only spent $4,062 on his campaign this cycle after going unchallenged in the Democratic primary.
Siegel's notable donors this period include Armstrong ($5,000); Serfass Construction partners Mathias Fenstermacher and Kevin Serfass (a combined $5,000); Christian Perucci, a partner at the law firm Florio & Perucci; and Yusuf Dahl, chief executive director of non-profit The Century Promise ($1,500).
Republicans have pitched the race as a must-win for conservatives. MacLean and Welsh spent more of their time during the Republican primary attacking Siegel than each other. They portrayed him as a liberal extremist.
Both have accused him of being a political opportunist who's worked to raise taxes and defund the police.
Siegel has dismissed the attacks, pointing to his record of voting to hire more state troopers and securing a grant to hire more city police.
