Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Join Megan Frank at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Friday for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, she's joined by politics reporter Tom Shortell and digital managing producer Stephanie Sigafoos.

During a visit to Bethlehem Monday, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said the American public needs to know how a gunman was able to access a roof with a clear shot at former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally Saturday.

While many Lehigh Valley residents were shocked by an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, it was not exactly surprising in today's divisive, supercharged political climate, they said.

Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent hoped the attack on former President Donald Trump would lead to Americans softening the rhetoric that has consumed American election campaigns. A wounded Trump was whisked offstage as one spectator was shot and killed and two others were critically injured. “It’s a sad state of affairs for where our political system is right now,” said one Lehigh Valley lawmaker.

The Secret Service said it killed the suspected shooter, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally grounds in Butler, north of Pittsburgh. One spectator was killed and two were critically injured after the attacker fired "multiple shots," according to the Secret Service.

Join Megan Frank at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Friday for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, she's joined by politics reporter Tom Shortell and health reporter Brittany Sweeney.

In a statement Sunday, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, stopped short of saying President Joe Biden needed to leave the ticket but warned that he could harm candidates in down-ballot races.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., asked Northampton County Democrats to support his re-election campaign during a stop at Weyerbacher Brewing. He will face Republican challenger David McCormick in one of the nation's most contested Senate races.

Neither first lady Jill Biden nor U.S. Rep. Susan Wild addressed questions about President Joe Biden's fitness for office following his poor performance at last week's presidential debate against former President Donald Trump.

With first lady Jill Biden set to visit the region Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police are warning of traffic delays in the Allentown and surrounding areas.

As support coalesces around Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's nominee for president, the conversation has turned to a potential running mate. Among the leading contenders is Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, Lehigh County Democratic Chair Lori McFarland and political organizer Aidan Levinson said they could rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket. They are among the Lehigh Valley's contingent of delegates heading to the Democratic National Convention in August.

President Joe Biden announced he will end his bid for reelection and support Kamala Harris for the presidency. Lehigh Valley politicians were quick to weigh in with their thoughts after weeks of speculation about Biden's fitness for office and his future.

The Democratic Party's convention is a little less than a month away. Even with President Joe Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to be his successor, there are unanswered questions about logistics, money and political fallout.

President Joe Biden's decision comes in the wake of a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about Biden's fitness for office just four months before the election. Biden said he is throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago.

Northampton County Council voted down a resolution Thursday that endorsed the idea of free and fair elections but did not affect county operations. Some members have grown frustrated with such messaging legislation in recent weeks.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild had 10 times as much cash on hand as Republican challenger Ryan Mackenzie as of June 30, campaign finance reports show.

Jill Biden, Susan Wild and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will look to connect with Latino voters in Allentown as the PA-7 congressional race heats up.

About three dozen Republicans jeered President Joe Biden throughout Thursday's night presidential debate while Democrats fumed that Trump was ignoring questions on child care and climate change.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off Thursday night in what will be the earliest televised presidential debate in American history. Given the two men's deep unpopularity and established public records, it will be difficult for either to move the needle in what's shaping up to be a close campaign.

Lafayette College was selected by the Commission on Presidential Debates to host the nation's only vice presidential debate this year. The commission has called off that debate and three presidential ones that it had expected to organize.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, is slated to appear at Saturday's Rally the Valley for Women's Choice in Bethlehem. It's part of a five-day campaign tour the three-term incumbent is launching this week in his race against Republican challenger David McCormick.