Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

The leading lawmakers for the Democratic and Republican parties will hold competing events in Northampton County on Thursday.

The Louisiana Republican, who became House speaker nearly a year ago, will rally with 7th Congressional District candidate Ryan Mackenzie in Northampton County, according to a campaign advisory.

Longtime state Rep. Gary Day, a Republican, throws his hat back into the fray against political newcomer Stefanie Rafes, a Democrat, for the 187th House District seat in the Pennsylvania Legislature.

This week on Political Pulse, Tom and Chris talk about the "election environment," and how, in recent years, there's been an increase in concern for election security.

Organized by Hispanos Con McCormick, local and state Republican Party leaders spoke about the importance of voting early and encouraging others to vote, as well as supporting all Republicans on the ballot.

Northampton County officials on Monday began testing all nearly 300 voting machines set to be used in the upcoming general election. What was a much-scrutinized task before this year's primary is back to being a sleepy part of the pre-vote process.

Despite it being a Republican hotbed, Democratic challenger Joseph Lenzi believes he can defeat incumbent Rep. Zachary Mako in the 183rd District.

State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh, and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, have each labeled one another extremists while campaigning for the moderate-leaning PA-7 Congressional District.

Both the Democrat and Republican candidates for the 131st House District seat say they want Pennsylvania families to remain at the forefront of policy coming out of the Capitol.

Republican Dave McCormick painted Sen. Bob Casey as a do-nothing lawmaker, while Casey accused McCormick of enriching himself at the expense of Pennsylvanians by investing in Chinese companies while leading the world's biggest hedge fund.

Public Safety Commission member Chris Peischl is running for a seat on the Board of Commissioners. He has worked in Emergency Management Services for the past 30 years and has served in several positions in the Greenawalds Fire Company, including firefighter and assistant chief.

Diane Kelly, the president of South Whitehall commissioners, is running for re-election. She was first elected to the board in 2019 and is the longest-standing member.

Senior Judge Edward Reibman ruled William Rowe can stay on the Republican primary ballot because his challenger failed to establish standing in the case.

At a press conference Thursday, DA candidate Stephen Baratta criticized incumbent district attorney Terry Houck over three cases from his tenure. Houck hit back in response.

Kerry Myers, who represents the Easton area on Northampton County Council, will not appear on the primary ballot after losing a petition challenge.

Shapiro wants to eliminate both the sales and use tax and the gross receipts tax on cell phone services. Doing so would save Pennsylvanians $124 million each year.

Lehigh County Judge Thomas Capehart denied the appeal of Patrick Palmer, who argued election staff should accept his paperwork because he paid a filing fee on time.

Mayor Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. was accused of sexual harassment in 2021. As part of the ensuing settlement, the township's government now has a new sexual harassment policy.

Patrick Palmer, an Allentown School Board director, argued in Lehigh County Court he should not be denied a spot on the primary ballot. County officials ruled he missed the March 7 filing deadline by a matter of seconds.

A change in district boundaries caused Schlossberg to move his local headquarters.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s nominees for attorney general and state police commissioner received unanimous approval from the Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Senate.

20-year-old Penn State student Jacob Roth is running for a full term on South Whitehall's Board of Commissioners.