Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

This week on Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick dive into the results of President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" about two weeks ago. What do tariffs mean to — and for — the average American? The two dissect that in this week's episode.

Public-service workers were at Allentown City Hall on Tuesday to voice their concern about potential budget cuts at the federal level.

Drop boxes for mail-in ballots for the upcoming primary election will be in place at seven locations in Northampton County starting Monday, according to the county elections office.

House Republicans are already rallying around U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, as he looks to defend Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. The seat is one of the most competitive — and expensive — congressional races in the country.

Cancer caused 66% of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from 2002 to 2019, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters. In his 2025-26 budget proposal, Gov. Josh Shapiro hopes to pay for firefighters' annual cancer screenings at the state level.

The two-term councilman made that pledge during Thursday night’s Allentown mayoral primary debate with incumbent Matt Tuerk at Miller Symphony Hall.

Mayor Matt Tuerk and Councilman Ed Zucal went head to head in the Democratic primary election for Allentown mayor. The debate streamed Thursday on LehighValleyNews.com and will air on PBS39 on Friday night.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure delivered his final State of the County address in Bethlehem on Monday. He used the speech to recap his administration's proudest accomplishments and criticize recent actions by the federal government.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, who joined Congress in January, has been a vocal advocate for President Donald Trump while quietly testing the limits of his support in the battleground district of PA-7.

At a debate in Allentown on Thursday, candidates seeking the Republican nomination for Lehigh County Executive gave virtually the same answers to every question.

With ballots counted from all but one of Northampton County's 157 polling precincts, unofficial results show Zrinski ahead by roughly 13.7% of the vote.

Unofficial results show incumbent Mayor Matt Tuerk handily defeating Councilman Ed Zucal. The mayor has earned just over 80% of the 5,100-plus votes counted by 10:30 p.m.

Incumbent Easton City Council members Taiba Sultana and Roger Ruggles lost in the Democratic primary, according to unofficial election returns. Susan Hartranft-Bittinger defeated Sultana and Frank Graziano outpaced Ruggles.

Polling places across the Lehigh Valley faced mainly light turnout throughout Primary Election Day, with early morning turnout lagging.

So far, two Macungie residents have applied to fill an open seat on the borough council. On Monday, the body's current members asked them a few questions.

In this week's episode of Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick talk about the Lehigh Valley's "packed primary" and the highly contested races to keep an eye on.

Tuesday, May 20, is Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania. Several high-profile local races are on the ballot in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Check out our procrastinator's guide and Q&A.

More than 48,000 people have requested a mail-in ballot in Lehigh and Northampton counties ahead of Tuesday's primary election. Even if thousands of those never get turned in, it should mark an increase from the 2021 local primary.

In Tuesday's Democratic primary election, two challengers are on the ballot to face off against incumbent council members Roger Ruggles and Taiba Sultana.

Republicans Roger MacLean and Mike Welsh have spent less than $8,000 combined on their race. Meanwhile, their Democratic opponent Josh Siegel has amassed more than $180,000 in his war chest. The primary election is Tuesday, May 20.

Republicans Roger MacLean and Mike Welsh contend they're each the best person to end their party's 20-year losing streak in the Lehigh County executive race. The winner of the May primary will take on Democrat Josh Siegel in the November race.

Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong joins Tom Shortell on this week's episode of Political Pulse to explain how county government fills vital social service roles and what duties come with the county executive role.