Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Be it Hellertown and Lower Saucon’s park space, historic landmarks or culture and collaboration as a whole, the local council and school board met to discuss their communities ahead of the May 20 primary election.

Carol Obando-Derstine will enter the 2026 Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional primary. The battleground district is held by U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican serving his first term.

This week on Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick talk about the impact primary elections have beyond what meets the eye, like campaign challenges and voter fatigue.

Tara Zrinski and Amy Cozze are seeking the Democratic nomination for county executive in the May 20 primary election. They debated Wednesday at Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem.

Five candidates on stage spoke of the city’s need for more affordable housing and public safety improvements but tried to differentiate their plans. Two women running for council were not allowed to participate.

Six of the nine candidates for Allentown School Board participated in the Tuesday event, which was organized by the Allentown Crime Watch Presidents’ Council in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Lehigh County.

Mayor J. William Reynolds and Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith met at the Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem for a debate Monday night. They are seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor in the 2025 Primary Election.

Politicians seeking five offices have agreed to participate in a “Candidates’ Night” event from 5-9 p.m. at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 417 N. 7th St.

The Vermont senator will speak Saturday, May 3, during a rally at the Stabler Athletic & Convocation Center at Lehigh University, according to his website.

New voter cards with updated information have been sent to residents in each precinct, according to the county elections office.

Emmaus grad and Lehigh County Democratic Committee senior advisor Aidan Levinson is set to join the new Commission on Next Generation Engagement, established by Governor Josh Shapiro in June to advise the administration

LehighValleyNews.com's Jen Rehill talks with editor John J. Moser and reporter Tom Shortell.

In November's general election, residents can submit a "yes" or "no" on two four-year term limits — or eight consecutive years for their representatives.

Ryan Mackenzie, the longtime Lehigh County state representative, will need to emerge from a crowded Republican field to challenge U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, the three-term incumbent.

Two council members called their salaries "embarrassing" as they approved ballot questions that could more than double their pay.

A Democratic lawmaker is quitting the Pennsylvania House of Representatives amid a budget stalemate.

Republican Kevin Dellicker believes he's the frontrunner in what could be a crowded Republican primary for one of America's most contested U.S. House seats.

Body camera footage caught Phil Racciato identifying Christopher Ferrante to police as the alleged drug supplier who he says routinely provided his son Michael "Mikey" Racciato with illicit drugs.

Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, announced Tuesday she's raised more than $600,000 toward her re-election in the last three months. The race for PA-7 may be among the most hotly contested in the country next year.

Kevin Dellicker, an intelligence officer in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, nearly upset former Lehigh County Commissioner Lisa Scheller in the 2022 GOP primary for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. He'll hope to defeat Democratic incumbent Susan Wild in next year's race.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure previously vetoed three measures that could create term limits for most county officials. On Thursday, county council overrode all three.

Maria Montero, a member of former Gov. Tom Corbett's administration, declared her candidacy for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District with the FEC this week. She'll aim to unseat Democratic incumbent Susan Wild in the 2024 congressional race.