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 Allentown reporter Jason Addy and Northampton County reporter Ryan Gaylor.

This week on Political Pulse, Chris Borick and Tom Shortell talk about local off-year elections and how their impacts are often more personal than the results of presidential elections, despite having lower voter turnout.

Lehigh and Northampton county officials participated in a risk-limiting audit that confirmed the results in the state treasurer race. That audit came in addition to a statewide statistical audit.

The Lehigh Valley's LGBTQ community is looking for ways to move forward in the wake of election campaigns that used sharp rhetoric, leaders say.

Local LGBTQ activists have fears following rhetoric by President-elect Donald Trump and many conservatives during the election season and at Trump's Allentown rally.

Nadeem Qaddum, the husband of Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana, will run for one of five at-large seats on Northampton County Council in the 2025 election.

Democrats in Pennsylvania lost its 19 presidential electoral votes, a U.S. Senate seat, three other statewide races, and two congressional seats.

What can we expect from a second Donald Trump presidency? This week on Political Pulse, Tom Shortell and Chris Borick talk about Trump's plans for his second term.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, will close her third term in Congress on Jan. 3 after being defeated in the election by Republican Ryan Mackenzie. From the inside, Wild has been a witness to major swings in American politics in her six years in Washington.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey conceded to Republican challenger David McCormick on Thursday night. The Pennsylvania Department of State ended the automatic recount in the unusually close race since the result was no longer contested.

Three of the four incumbents are not seeking re-election to the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners this year. That leaves the Democratic primary — and future control of the board — wide open.

Democratic mayoral primary candidates Peter Melan and incumbent Sal Panto Jr. addressed affordable housing, parking and other topics in a debate organized by Lafayette College. The election is May 16.

Easton's Democratic primary will feature a faceoff between longstanding Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and councilman Peter Melan.

The May 16 Democratic primary will almost certainly determine who wins seats on the Allentown City Council starting next year. Each of the seven candidates filed to appear only on Democratic ballots.

The candidates — five Democrats and two Republicans — are fighting for three open seats on Bethlehem City Council. The primary election is taking place May 16.

Stephen Baratta spent more than $115,000 in his bid for Northampton County district attorney, not including in-kind contributions of nearly $50,000. Incumbent Terry Houck raised nearly $100,000, according to campaign finance reports.

When voters go to the polls or fill out their mail ballots for Pennsylvania’s May 16 primary election, they’ll see a slew of local candidates. Here are some steps you can take to prepare.

Missed any of our election coverage? Here is a convenient way to scan the stories on local races that affect the May 2023 primary election. Stories will publish through May 14.

Incumbents Maury G. Robert and Ron R. Beitler are joined on the ballot by challenger Gregory S. Chaputa, all noting land preservation and managing development as a priority.

Former judge Stephen Baratta, looking to oust Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck, held court in the Government Center Rotunda Thursday.

The township election is on May 16. The candidates are hoping to make a splash with voters come Election Day.

The candidates are incumbents Jacob Roth and Diane Kelly, Public Safety Commission member Chris Peischl, local business owner and former commissioner Ben Long and former commissioner Thomas Johns.