Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

The forum is set to start at 6 p.m. Monday at Resurrected Life Church in Center City Allentown.

Democratic voters in Pennsylvania's 16th and 18th Senate districts may have contested races this spring. Meanwhile, Republican Zach Mako is seeking re-election in Pennsylvania's 183rd House District.

The special election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the 22nd House District, which covers parts of East Allentown, Center City and a part of Salisbury Township. The debate was broadcast live on PBS39 and streamed here at LehighValleyNews.com.

Joining host Tom Shortell on this week's Political Pulse, Ryan Crosswell said his campaign is focused on two priorities: lowering costs for families and defending democratic institutions.

Appearing on this week's Lehigh Valley Political Pulse with host Tom Shortell, Pinsley framed his campaign around what he described as “bread and butter issues,” arguing that rising costs remain the central concern for voters, and that corporate power is to blame.

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.

State and local lawmakers on Thursday talked up a $25 million program to install solar power at Pennsylvania schools. That program could be implemented at Allentown public schools.

Elected officials are taking steps to adjust development laws that some see as unfair, but they face an uphill battle. (Fourth of 5 parts)

In this episode, Chris and Tom talk about the general election and the sprint to November now that the presidential race is officially between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Thirteen speakers urged a packed house of Lehigh Valley Democrats in Bethlehem on Monday night to go to the mat for their candidates in state and federal races this November.

Bad actors are trying to trick Lehigh County voters into clicking a malicious link by claiming their voter registration data needs to be updated. However, the county's Office of Voter Registration doesn't communicate with voters via text.

An attack ad targeting U.S. Rep. Susan Wild left out important context over her record on the U.S. border while an ad supporting her appears to overstate a speaker's credentials as a police officer.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh, Monday night in his bid to defeat U.S Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.

In the inaugural episode of Political Pulse, Tom Shortell and Chris Borick try to get a bead on how Democrats feel about a presidential ticket remade on the fly.

Several local Democratic organizations are hosting a Unity Rally for Democracy at the Steelworkers Union Hall in Bethlehem at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26.

Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to be her running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket.

Vice President Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate on Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the decision.

A ballot question in Chapman Borough will ask voters whether its seven-member borough council should shrink to three members. Council members said they cannot find enough people willing to serve in municipal government.