EASTON, Pa. — Democrats on Tuesday appeared to sweep all five open seats on Northampton County Council, according to unofficial results, all but shutting Republicans out of county government for at least the next year.
Incumbent Lori Vargo Heffner will return to the body for a third term. Joining her will be newcomers David Holland, Jason Boulette, Theresa Fadem and Nadeem Qayyum.
Two Republicans seeking re-election, John Brown and John P. Goffredo, will not return after this year. Three other Republican hopefuls — Sam Elias, Daniel Campo and Juan E. Martinez — similarly were shut out.
The race’s worst-performing Democrat, Qayuum, secured about 9,000 more votes than Elias, the top-finishing Republican in the race, according to unofficial results posted Tuesday night with all precincts reporting.
Once new council members are seated in January, the nine-member body will have only one Republican member: Tom Giovanni, who mounted an unsuccessful bid for county executive this year.
Further cementing Democratic control, the party will hold the county executive’s seat and all but one of the county’s row offices at the start of next year.
The Republican Party’s next chance to get a firmer foothold in county government will come next year, as candidates vie to replace outgoing County Controller Tara Zrinski, who declared victory Tuesday in the race for county executive.
