Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Be it Hellertown and Lower Saucon’s park space, historic landmarks or culture and collaboration as a whole, the local council and school board met to discuss their communities ahead of the May 20 primary election.

Carol Obando-Derstine will enter the 2026 Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional primary. The battleground district is held by U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican serving his first term.

This week on Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick talk about the impact primary elections have beyond what meets the eye, like campaign challenges and voter fatigue.

Tara Zrinski and Amy Cozze are seeking the Democratic nomination for county executive in the May 20 primary election. They debated Wednesday at Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem.

Five candidates on stage spoke of the city’s need for more affordable housing and public safety improvements but tried to differentiate their plans. Two women running for council were not allowed to participate.

Six of the nine candidates for Allentown School Board participated in the Tuesday event, which was organized by the Allentown Crime Watch Presidents’ Council in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Lehigh County.

Mayor J. William Reynolds and Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith met at the Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem for a debate Monday night. They are seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor in the 2025 Primary Election.

Politicians seeking five offices have agreed to participate in a “Candidates’ Night” event from 5-9 p.m. at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 417 N. 7th St.

The Vermont senator will speak Saturday, May 3, during a rally at the Stabler Athletic & Convocation Center at Lehigh University, according to his website.

New voter cards with updated information have been sent to residents in each precinct, according to the county elections office.

This week on Political Pulse, Tom and Chris discuss the impact natural disasters have on politics. In recent years, that impact has shifted.

Democrat Amy Cozze, who oversaw Northampton County's elections in 2020 and 2021, will run for county executive this year, she announced Monday.

Democrat Theresa Fadem, Vice President of the Hellertown Borough Council, announced this weekend that she will join the race for one of Northampton County Council's five at-large seats.

Northampton County Controller Tara Zrinski will run for county executive, she announced Friday.

Tina Cantelmi, who some may recognize from her art and local nonprofit work, will be running for a spot on Bethlehem City Council, she announced in a Thursday news release.

Supervisor Jeffrey Young says he won't run for re-election in 2025 and will serve out his term through the end of the year, ending over two decades of service to the community.

In his announcement, the Northampton County commissioner attacked the record of outgoing executive Lamont McClure.

Federal prosecutors dismissed criminal charges alleging Tighe Scott assaulted police outside the U.S. Capitol Building. The decision stems from President Donald Trump's executive order pardoning more than 1,000 people convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and all ongoing dismissing ongoing prosecutions.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure will not run for a third term in office this year, he said Tuesday, touching off a wide-open race to replace him.

This week's episode of Political Pulse examines how politicians utilize digital spaces to communicate with voters here in the Lehigh Valley and around the country.

Trump overcame impeachments, criminal indictments and a pair of assassination attempts to win another term in the White House. He's expected to issue executive orders to clamp down on border crossings, increase fossil fuel development and end diversity and inclusion programs across the federal government.

Robert “Bob” Smith Jr., 63, and Robert “Nick” Nicholoff, 29, will both seek spots on the Allentown School Board this election cycle. Both have board experience.