Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Guests enjoyed dinner Tuesday night at Bethlehem's United Steelworkers Union Hall before a panel of five women tried to make sense of rising costs for housing, groceries, healthcare and other essential needs.

State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, introduced a bill this week to more sharply define when local governments can forgo a requirement in the Sunshine Act of publicizing meeting agendas at least 24 hours in advance.

McClure, who recently completed his second term as Northampton County executive after serving 10 years on county council, is seeking the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.

Lehigh County prosecutors tried to avoid the standard procedures for criminal court by bypassing defendants' preliminary hearings. Instead, Lehigh County Judge Thomas Caffrey ruled the cases should proceed Friday morning as scheduled.

In this week's episode, Political Pulse host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick talk about current events shaping political opinions in unexpected ways. Borick said it marks a "wild start" to 2026 and could set the stage for the rest of the year.

“I have no doubt about what’s going to happen over the next four years,” Reynolds said. “We’re going to have more parks, we’re going to have the community center, we’re going to invest in education, we’re going to build trust."

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie voted to triple ICE's budget as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill last year. The extra funding has allowed the agency to hire more officers who are being deployed in force to major cities across the nation.

Julian Guridy lived in Florida within the past four years, making him ineligible to serve in the state House of Representatives. Just a few days ago, many political observers said he was in line for clear sailing to join the Pennsylvania Legislature.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie touted his office's efforts to help Lehigh Valley residents secure tax breaks, receive passports and navigate the federal bureaucracy through 2025.

Julian Guridy abruptly dropped out of the special election for Pennsylvania's 22nd District House race, leaving Democrats to scramble for a candidate at the 11th hour.

On this week's episode of Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick talk about President Donald Trump and his administration's relationship with the media.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, addressed protests outside his office, criticisms of how President Donald Trump has rolled out tariffs and shifting thoughts on how to approach the war in Ukraine.

This month, U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie has voted on a crackdown on opioids, debates on President Donald Trump’s tariffs and small business taxes.

State Rep. Josh Siegel has radical changes in mind for Lehigh County government, including a potential sales tax and a special housing fund. Meanwhile, former Allentown Police Chief Roger MacLean is running under a "if it's not broke, don't fix it" mentality.

Greg Gutfeld, whose Fox News program "Gutfeld!" is television's most-watched late-night talk show, gave a presentation at the PPL Center in Allentown on Saturday night. He said he decided that overcoming fear was part of the message of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot Sept. 10.

Democrat Josh Siegel and Republican Roger MacLean are seeking election to a four-year term as Lehigh County executive – the leader of county government and its more than 2,000 employees.

After a social media post from a Northampton County councilwoman about Charlie Kirk's death spurred an uproar from residents, many took to Thursday night's council meeting to voice their frustrations and concerns. Council also proposed a new resolution condemning political violence.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development is providing funding to assist the international medical equipment company in growing its apprenticeship program and boosting production.

Municipal elections typically see low voter turnout. A former Lehigh County official is holding a series of forums to allow voters and candidates the chance to change that by engaging with one another.

A Facebook fight between state Rep. Joshua Siegel, D-Lehigh, and Lehigh County Republican Committee Chairman Joe Vichot over Charlie Kirk and political violence spilled into public view Wednesday.

Emil Giordano served as a presiding judge on Northampton County Court, Third Judicial District, from 204 through 2018. He joins Tom Shortell on the latest episode of Lehigh Valley Political Pulse to shed some insight on the role and his time on the bench.

Palmer Township has appointed Baron Vanderburg to fill part of the remainder of the late Charles "Zeke" Bellis III's term on the board of supervisors.