Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2026-27 budget proposal falls back on familiar proposals to regulate skill games and legalize marijuana, two flashpoints that fueled a months-long budget impasse last year.

The rich got richer in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District race at the close of 2025. Campaign finance reports show Ryan Mackenzie, Bob Brooks and Ryan Crosswell raised nearly $1.4 million while Lamont McClure, Carol Obando-Derstine and Mark Pinsley each saw their campaigns lose money.

Lehigh County election staff are preparing new polling places and drop box spots for the Feb. 24 special election for the state's 22nd House District between Democrat Ana Tiburcio and Republican Robert Smith Jr.

Lehigh Valley Public Media is organizing the debate between Democrat Ana Tiburcio and Republican Robert E. Smith Jr. It will be held Thursday, Feb. 12, at Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown. The special election is Feb. 24.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie defended expanded immigration enforcement under the Trump administration while acknowledging the need for reforms after recent incidents involving federal agents.

The live, hourlong show will be broadcast at 7 tonight and explore how the Trump administration and policies are influencing the Lehigh Valley. It will be hosted by PBS39's Brittany Sweeney and is available on several channels.

Democrat Geoffrey Whitcomb intends to campaign for the Lehigh County-based district that Republican Gary Day currently represents. The seat heavily favors Republicans.

Guests enjoyed dinner Tuesday night at Bethlehem's United Steelworkers Union Hall before a panel of five women tried to make sense of rising costs for housing, groceries, healthcare and other essential needs.

State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, introduced a bill this week to more sharply define when local governments can forgo a requirement in the Sunshine Act of publicizing meeting agendas at least 24 hours in advance.

McClure, who recently completed his second term as Northampton County executive after serving 10 years on county council, is seeking the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, PA-07, will headline a rally to help elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 10:30 a.m. in Allentown.

Liz Cheney, formerly the No. 3 Republican in the U.S. House, served in Congress with U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, the Lehigh Valley Democrat seeking a fourth term in her race against GOP challenger Ryan Mackenzie.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, spent more than $5.4 million in the past three months as she seeks a fourth term in Congress. Republican challenger Ryan Mackenzie spent just a fraction of that in his bid to win Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.

This week on Political Pulse, politics reporter Tom and political scientist Chris Borick talk about what the stakes are looking like in the race for Pennsylvania's seventh congressional district.

Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz made a stop at a home in Easton on Monday to stir up support for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Walz's husband, vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, just a few weeks shy of Election Day.

Senator Bob Casey and representatives from the Pa. Treasury celebrated the progress of the state's ABLE program, which lets people with serious disabilities save money without jeopardizing their benefits.

The drop box at the Lehigh County Government Center is at the main entrance and is accessible around the clock. The other four locations are inside buildings and available during regular business hours.

A ballot question will allow Allentown residents to weigh in on whether city council should have the power to raise the deed transfer tax. The city's Home Rule Charter has locked the tax at its current rate for decades.

In an effort to keep the community informed and help stop the spread of misinformation, LehighValleyNews.com has partnered with the Center for Media Engagement to look out for — and call out — election misinformation.

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.