Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

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.

Children First PA, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, invited state House candidates in Northampton County.

Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey Jr. is seeking a fourth term representing Pennsylvania. He's being opposed by Republican Dave McCormick, the former CEO of the world's largest hedge fund.

State Rep. Josh Siegel has radical changes in mind for Lehigh County government, including a potential sales tax and a special housing fund. Meanwhile, former Allentown Police Chief Roger MacLean is running under a "if it's not broke, don't fix it" mentality.

Greg Gutfeld, whose Fox News program "Gutfeld!" is television's most-watched late-night talk show, gave a presentation at the PPL Center in Allentown on Saturday night. He said he decided that overcoming fear was part of the message of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot Sept. 10.

Democrat Josh Siegel and Republican Roger MacLean are seeking election to a four-year term as Lehigh County executive – the leader of county government and its more than 2,000 employees.

After a social media post from a Northampton County councilwoman about Charlie Kirk's death spurred an uproar from residents, many took to Thursday night's council meeting to voice their frustrations and concerns. Council also proposed a new resolution condemning political violence.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development is providing funding to assist the international medical equipment company in growing its apprenticeship program and boosting production.

Municipal elections typically see low voter turnout. A former Lehigh County official is holding a series of forums to allow voters and candidates the chance to change that by engaging with one another.

A Facebook fight between state Rep. Joshua Siegel, D-Lehigh, and Lehigh County Republican Committee Chairman Joe Vichot over Charlie Kirk and political violence spilled into public view Wednesday.

Emil Giordano served as a presiding judge on Northampton County Court, Third Judicial District, from 204 through 2018. He joins Tom Shortell on the latest episode of Lehigh Valley Political Pulse to shed some insight on the role and his time on the bench.

Palmer Township has appointed Baron Vanderburg to fill part of the remainder of the late Charles "Zeke" Bellis III's term on the board of supervisors.

The League of Women Voters of Lehigh County will moderate and run the forums in partnership with Lehigh Valley Public Media. Participating will be school board candidates from Allentown, Parkland, East Penn and Southern Lehigh school districts.

Lehigh County Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi is the only defendant in an alleged interstate marijuana ring whom authorities have publicly identified. He made his first public comments since being arrested Aug. 28 at his job at Bethlehem City Hall.

There's little precedent for what we’re seeing now as multiple states work to redraw their congressional boundaries mid-decade, Tom Shortell says on this week's episode of Political Pulse.