Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Gavin Holihan took the oath of office Tuesday morning as Lehigh County's new district attorney. He said he'll divert resources away from penny-ante issues to focus on battling violent crime.

The 20-year-old is a youth director with Promise Neighborhoods of Lehigh Valley. She graduated from William Allen High School in 2021 and won election to the school board in the November general election.

The Pennsylvania Department of State is starting a new office to help train county election workers, Pa. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said. It also plans to update its guidance for logic and accuracy testing that could have caught issues with the Northampton County voting machines.

In a letter to Gov. Josh Shapiro, state Rep. Milou Mackenzie asked the Department of State to provide Northampton County with instructions on how to avoid more Election Day mistakes with their voting machines.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure on Friday named a human resources department manager as his acting director of administration. She joined the county in May 2022.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Mark Pinsley announced Friday, Dec. 1, that he will run for auditor general in 2024. The position oversees financial and performance audits of Pennsylvania state government.

County Executive Lamont McClure reiterated Thursday he will not step down after the county experienced widespread problems with its voting machines on Election Day. Despite the problems, the county's Election Commission certified the results last week.

Republican Kat Copeland is hoping her experience as a federal and local prosecutor will help her become Pennsylvania's next attorney general.

County Executive Lamont McClure on Friday accepted the resignation of Charles Dertinger, his director of administration and a longtime political ally. As director of administration, Dertinger oversaw the county elections division, which came under scrutiny in the wake of widespread voting machine problems in the Nov. 7 election.

Victor Martinez, owner, president and a morning host on La Mega 101.7 FM, says he will run as a Democrat for one of four at-large seats on the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners.

Upper Milford Township Board of Supervisors Chair and former Lehigh County Comissioner candidate Joyce Moore is seeking reelection for her position on the township's Board of Supervisors

Stephen Baratta and Terry Houck exchanged more salvos Thursday in a heated race for Northampton County district attorney. Houck said he's considering filing an ethics complaint against the retired judge.

Pennsylvania counties make their own policies on drop boxes, fixing mail ballots, and more, creating an uneven landscape that gives people additional voting options based on where they live.

Kevin Dellicker, a Republican who ran for the Lehigh Valley congressional seat, said federal investigators should look into the improper release of his military records.

The chamber will return this week to focus on providing legal relief to sexual abuse survivors, but leaders are still debating what permanent rules to govern the chamber should look like.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. kicked off his campaign for a record seventh term in office Thursday night.

Colón, a Democrat, is seeking a third term. He was first elected in 2016.

Incumbent Mayor Sal Panto Jr. on Thursday plans to make an official announcement of his candidacy for reelection in the upcoming municipal elections this year.

The decision comes three months after Pinsley lost his state Senate race, running as a Democrat.

Laird, who helped found the Bethlehem Food Co-op, announced a run for City Council Tuesday.

Cusick, 56, a Republican, was elected to county council's at-large seat in 2006, and has represented District 3 on the body since 2016.