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.

Guests enjoyed dinner Tuesday night at Bethlehem's United Steelworkers Union Hall before a panel of five women tried to make sense of rising costs for housing, groceries, healthcare and other essential needs.

State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, introduced a bill this week to more sharply define when local governments can forgo a requirement in the Sunshine Act of publicizing meeting agendas at least 24 hours in advance.

McClure, who recently completed his second term as Northampton County executive after serving 10 years on county council, is seeking the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has used county office space but hasn't paid rent in three years despite a 2022 memorandum of understanding, county officials said. Said Controller Mark Pinsley: "We're going to deport ICE."

Lehigh County prosecutors tried to avoid the standard procedures for criminal court by bypassing defendants' preliminary hearings. Instead, Lehigh County Judge Thomas Caffrey ruled the cases should proceed Friday morning as scheduled.

In this week's episode, Political Pulse host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick talk about current events shaping political opinions in unexpected ways. Borick said it marks a "wild start" to 2026 and could set the stage for the rest of the year.

“I have no doubt about what’s going to happen over the next four years,” Reynolds said. “We’re going to have more parks, we’re going to have the community center, we’re going to invest in education, we’re going to build trust."

A man who identified himself as a Pennsylvania state trooper delivered one of the sharpest critiques Tuesday night during a telephone town hall on the automated school bus camera law.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie voted to triple ICE's budget as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill last year. The extra funding has allowed the agency to hire more officers who are being deployed in force to major cities across the nation.

Julian Guridy lived in Florida within the past four years, making him ineligible to serve in the state House of Representatives. Just a few days ago, many political observers said he was in line for clear sailing to join the Pennsylvania Legislature.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie touted his office's efforts to help Lehigh Valley residents secure tax breaks, receive passports and navigate the federal bureaucracy through 2025.

Julian Guridy abruptly dropped out of the special election for Pennsylvania's 22nd District House race, leaving Democrats to scramble for a candidate at the 11th hour.