Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Pennsylvania's governor race between Doug Mastriano and Josh Shapiro could reshape state politics

LehighValleyNews.com will host a debate between Democratic incumbent Susan Wild and Republican Lisa Scheller on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem.

Judge Thomas Capehart has sided with the Lehigh County Board of Elections and will permit the county to use election boxes as planned - including allowing the use of a 24-hour drop box - in the upcoming election.

Lehigh County has halted the use of ballot dropboxes as the county awaits a ruling in an ongoing lawsuit over dropbox monitoring and hours of usage.

Voters will pick between Rep. Susan Wild and Republican challenger Lisa Scheller in one of the country's most contested House races.

Lehigh Valley Voter's Guide: Statewide races including John Fetterman vs. Dr. Oz, Josh Shapiro vs. Doug Mastriano and Susan Wild vs. Lisa Scheller.

Lehigh Valley Voter's Guide: Local races for state senate and state representatives

Lehigh Valley Voter's Guide: An FAQ and what you need to know for the 2022 midterm election

The U.S. Supreme Court has nullified a lower court's ruling that supported the counting of mail-in ballots that were missing a date on an outer envelope. But, the ruling will not affect the outcome of a Lehigh County judicial race that hinged on these ballots.

Democrat Josh Siegel and Republican Robert Smith were asked to explain their positions on topics such as abortion, gun control and marijuana legalization.

A Republican from Lower Macungie Township, U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie swore to do right by those who elected him from across Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. Lehigh County Judge Melissa Pavlack officiated.

Easton City Council discussed adopting an attendance policy that could penalize officials for missing council or committee meetings, with all but one council member in support.

Northampton County prosecutor Robert Eyer announced Tuesday that he's running to join the county's Court of Common Pleas.

Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong, with less than a year left in his term, emphasized the need for nonpartisan cooperation, funding and "not being a lame duck" toward the end of his service during a visit to Emmaus Borough Council. He also brought a funding announcement.

The borough heard from five passionate applicants, some brand new to politics — and rejected them all in favor of an eight-year council veteran. Still, they encouraged the other applicants to run for election and even offered to help with paperwork.

Northampton County Council voted Monday to keep Lori Vargo Heffner as the body's president. Though some members called for the council to have a more harmonious 2025, change seemed unlikely after Monday's vote.

Northampton County Commissioner Ron Heckman said Monday he will not seek another term on the county council, while Commissioner John Goffredo announced he will run to keep his seat for four more years.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie and 433 other members of the U.S. House took the oath of office Friday afternoon following a dramatic roll call vote that awarded U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson the speaker's gavel.

Ryan Mackenzie is scheduled to take the oath of office Friday to become the Lehigh Valley's next representative in the U.S. House. But those plans may be put on hold if the chamber can't rally around a speaker.

Former President Jimmy Carter urged Lafayette College students to create a greater, more peaceful America during a speech on the Easton campus in 2013. His longtime foreign affairs adviser Robert Pastor was an alumnus.

Jenna Fliszar, who owns Fliszar Law Office on Hamilton Boulevard, said her work in criminal defense, municipal law and child advocacy means she would bring “a balanced perspective to the bench.”

The Lehigh County chapter of the League of Women Voters will host a candidate's workshop in January. The Lehigh Valley's two county-level Republican committees will host their own candidate training program, as well.