Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

On this week’s episode of Lehigh Valley Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell spoke with political scientist Chris Borick about the economic forces driving the boom of data centers — along with the political friction emerging.

Bob Brooks, a Democratic candidate running for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, has asked a judge to throw out a lawsuit filed against him by Carol Wiley, his former mother-in-law. She alleges he owes her more than $162,000 from a lawsuit she filed in 2018.

Lehigh Valley Public Media at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, will hold a debate between Mark Pinsley and Bradley Merkl-Gump, Democratic candidates for the 16th District state Senate seat. The debate will be at Lehigh Valley Public Media in Bethlehem and on PBS39's YouTube channel.

Three of the Democrats running in this May's primary for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District criticized President Donald Trump's war with Iran and worsening relations with traditional allies.

Former Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure became the first candidate to attack one of his Democratic rivals, criticizing Bob Brooks for old social media posts that drew national headlines this week.

Lehigh County Commissioner Sarah Fevig is pushing to change how the county oversees elections, arguing the current system is too partisan and no longer reflects today’s voters.

Carol Obando-Derstine, Lamont McClure and Ryan Crosswell, candidates in the Democratic primary of Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, weighed in on the shrinking federal government and the hyper-partisanship at the heart of American politics.

Ryan Crosswell, Lamont McClure and Carol Obando-Derstine this month discussed their goals to strengthen the economy and thoughts on tariffs during interviews with Lehigh Valley Public Media.

Campaign spending in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District already is trending ahead of the $30 million record set in the 2024 election.

President Donald Trump’s latest target, Pope Leo XIV, could present political risks that differ from his past high-profile attacks, particularly among Catholic voters in key swing states.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, has organized a food drive while pinning the ongoing government shutdown on Senate Democrats. SNAP benefits that help feed millions of low-income Americans are hours away from expiring.

Two federal judge have ruled that the Trump administration must continue to fund the SNAP food aid program using contingency funds during the government shutdown. The administration has said it can't fund SNAP with the government shuttered.

A group of demonstrators called on Congress Friday to permanently protect the Arctic from drilling, as well as drum up support from Lehigh Valley residents.

Ahead of Election Day, Political Pulse host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick break down what to expect, including the races to keep an eye on.

State Rep. Josh Siegel has raised more than $447,000 toward his Lehigh County executive campaign since March — just short of the record Don Cunningham set in 2005. Siegel, a Democrat, has outspent Republican Roger MacLean by a nearly 10-to-1 margin this election cycle.

Democratic incumbent Zach Cole-Borghi has been charged as part of a criminal investigation into an interstate drug ring, upending the race between him and Republican Jacqueline Rivera.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Bucks/Lehigh, was the prime sponsor of the legislation now awaiting Gov. Josh Shapiro's signature. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the state House and Senate.

Lehigh County Chief Clerk of Elections Tim Benyo said off-year elections are "a little more complicated for county officials," as opposed to a presidential election. This week on Political Pulse, Benyo tells host Tom Shortell about what goes into municipal elections behind the scenes.

During Northampton County's first budget hearing of 2025, held Wednesday, county officials said they do not plan to provide the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission with all of the funding it requested.

A new resolution aiming to spread a message about Easton City Council's thoughts on the federal government's actions against immigrants was tabled Wednesday night.

Mayor Matt Tuerk laid out his goals for a second term, while Ed Zucal urged voters to give him an upset victory at a candidates forum at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has a book coming out in January, touching upon everything from his swift political rise to the trauma of his home being set on fire.