Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Incumbent Terry Houck and challenger Stephen Baratta each made their case to voters in a contentious town hall. Houck is in the final year of his first term. Baratta retired after 25 years as a county judge to run for the top prosecutor job.

Students, parents and area residents responded to a pledge by some Republican candidates to out transgender students and censor "woke" curriculum in the Southern Lehigh School District.

A judge ruled Allentown City Councilwoman Candida Affa turned in enough signatures to make the Democratic ballot. Tina Jo Koren, a Republican candidate for Whitehall Township mayor, fought off an challenge to her statement of financial interests.

A century after the first women were elected to Pennsylvania’s state legislature, both chambers now have women at their helm.

Public Safety Commission member Chris Peischl is running for a seat on the Board of Commissioners. He has worked in Emergency Management Services for the past 30 years and has served in several positions in the Greenawalds Fire Company, including firefighter and assistant chief.

Diane Kelly, the president of South Whitehall commissioners, is running for re-election. She was first elected to the board in 2019 and is the longest-standing member.

Senior Judge Edward Reibman ruled William Rowe can stay on the Republican primary ballot because his challenger failed to establish standing in the case.

At a press conference Thursday, DA candidate Stephen Baratta criticized incumbent district attorney Terry Houck over three cases from his tenure. Houck hit back in response.

Kerry Myers, who represents the Easton area on Northampton County Council, will not appear on the primary ballot after losing a petition challenge.

Shapiro wants to eliminate both the sales and use tax and the gross receipts tax on cell phone services. Doing so would save Pennsylvanians $124 million each year.

Gwen Walz's visit to the Lehigh Valley on Monday is one of two stops that day that will kick off a tour of Pennsylvania. She and Gov. Tim Walz — the Democratic vice presidential candidate — have been married for 30 years.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries visited Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District Thursday to promote their parties candidates. Democratic incumbent Susan Wild and Republican challenger Ryan Mackenzie are locked in one of the tightest U.S. House races in the country.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild leads state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie by six points, according to a Muhlenberg College/Morning Call poll released Thursday. However, the results are still within the margin of error for the toss-up district.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild hosted U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., for a tour of Center City Allentown on Wednesday. The local Latino community is growing up and could decide the course of the United States' political future, the pair said.

The leading lawmakers for the Democratic and Republican parties will hold competing events in Northampton County on Thursday.

The Louisiana Republican, who became House speaker nearly a year ago, will rally with 7th Congressional District candidate Ryan Mackenzie in Northampton County, according to a campaign advisory.

Longtime state Rep. Gary Day, a Republican, throws his hat back into the fray against political newcomer Stefanie Rafes, a Democrat, for the 187th House District seat in the Pennsylvania Legislature.

This week on Political Pulse, Tom and Chris talk about the "election environment," and how, in recent years, there's been an increase in concern for election security.

Organized by Hispanos Con McCormick, local and state Republican Party leaders spoke about the importance of voting early and encouraging others to vote, as well as supporting all Republicans on the ballot.

Northampton County officials on Monday began testing all nearly 300 voting machines set to be used in the upcoming general election. What was a much-scrutinized task before this year's primary is back to being a sleepy part of the pre-vote process.

Despite it being a Republican hotbed, Democratic challenger Joseph Lenzi believes he can defeat incumbent Rep. Zachary Mako in the 183rd District.

State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh, and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, have each labeled one another extremists while campaigning for the moderate-leaning PA-7 Congressional District.