Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

For some candidates looking to hold office in Northampton County whose primary races ended with a tie, electoral fate rests with ping pong balls.

More than 120 people showed up for the weekly "Mondays with Mackenzie" demonstration outside one of the congressman's offices on Monday. It was the first of the protests since he cast an essential vote for President Donald Trump's signature policy bill.

Trump said he reached the decision after a “thorough review” of Jared Isaacman’s “prior associations" but did not elaborate. Said Isaacman: "I’ll always be grateful for this opportunity and cheering on our President and NASA as they lead us on the greatest adventure in human history.”

The Allentown high school was recognized for registering students to vote and enlisting them to serve as poll workers.

Fewer people voted in this year's primaries than four years ago, when most of the same local offices were up for grabs. But Mayor Matt Tuerk found much support in his second campaign.

Political Pulse host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick follow up on the last episode about the primary election. This week, the two dive into a primary breakdown of the top races and low voter turnout.

Ryan Mackenzie, the Lehigh Valley's freshman congressman, cast an essential vote to move President Donald Trump's signature bill through the U.S. House last week. His would-be Democratic opponents say he's sold out poor families to give billionaires a tax break.

Councilman Ed Zucal earned almost 500 write-in votes from Allentown Republicans, plenty to win the party’s nomination for mayor.

Ed Zucal had almost 500 Republican write-in votes as of Thursday afternoon, several hundred more than Mayor Matt Tuerk.

Allentown mayoral candidate Ed Zucal is confident he secured enough write-in votes to advance on the Republican ticket, but Lehigh County has yet to release the number of write-in votes at play. Incumbent Mayor Matt Tuerk dominated the Democratic primary with 80% of the vote.

Easton welcomed three new city council members — Frank Graziano III, Julie Zando-Dennis and Susan Hartranft-Bittinger — to the team on Friday evening.

Cristian Pungo and Jeremy Binder are due to join Allentown City Council on Monday. They'll replace outgoing members Daryl Hendricks and Ed Zucal.

Democrat Julian Guridy, an aide to state Sen. Nick Miller, is viewed as the favorite to land the party's nomination for the upcoming 22nd House District special election. Allentown Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach, precinct committee person Erlinda Aguilar and Lewis Shupe are also seeking the nomination.

Of the thousands of stories covered and told in 2025, our staff picked some of their favorites. They included a bald eagle looking for love in the Hellertown area and an $11 million "sky dome" planned for Easton.

In 2025, LehighValleyNews.com readers gravitated toward stories that reflected mounting economic pressure, public safety concerns, environmental uncertainty and moments of sharp civic tension.

Fewer than two dozen rank-and-file members from the Lehigh County Democratic Committee are set to nominate the party’s candidate for the Feb. 24 special election.

While the political news cycle can change on a dime, some clear stories appear in store for 2026, including the Lehigh Valley's congressional race.

Host Tom Shortell helps two contestants revisit the stories, scandals and curveballs that defined the year in politics.

The Trump administration has sued several states, including Pennsylvania, arguing they are stymying efforts to ensure free and fair elections.

In less than two weeks, local Democratic volunteers are set to help nominate a candidate for a Feb. 24 special election.

Lehigh County Democratic Chair Lori McFarland said party officials will not conduct their interviews or selection process for the upcoming 22nd House District in public view.

Host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick spend this week’s episode of Political Pulse examining the string of VIPs visiting the region, breaking into their messaging and why so much attention is focused here.