Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Republican Roger MacLean and Democrat Josh Siegel are vying for a four-year term as Lehigh County executive. The winner in the Nov. 4 election will succeed Democrat Phil Armstrong, who cannot run again because of term limits.

Operations at Lehigh Valley International Airport have not suffered from the government shutdown to date, according to Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority officials. However, an increase in air traffic controllers calling out sick during the last shutdown spurred a deal in 2019.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure released a statement Tuesday explaining he would not take a loan to pay the county's bills during the state budget impasse. He urged legislators to adopt a budget and restore the flow of funds.

“We were looking for answers that aligned with our vision as an association for the work that we want to do in the district,” said Allentown Education Association President Leslie Franklin.

Lehigh Valley Political Pulse host Tom Shortell wants to hear from you. Readers are encouraged to submit questions through the link in the article. They may be addressed on a future episode of the program.

Political scientist Chris Borick joined Tom Shortell again this week to try to make sense of the government shutdown and what it all means.

Senate Democrats have refused to fund the federal government unless Republicans agree to extend tax subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. U.S. Ryan Mackenzie supports the tax subsidies but echoed Republican demands that no deal can be struck until the federal government is funded.

Candidates for Southern Lehigh School Board participated in a forum Tuesday at the Univest Public Media Center organized by the League of Women Voters of Lehigh County. There are seven candidates on the ballot, vying for four seats.

Candidates for Parkland School Board will participate in a forum tonight at the Univest Public Media Center organized by the League of Women Voters of Lehigh County. There are six candidates on the ballot, vying for four seats.

Northampton County Council voted down a measure Thursday that would have required administrators to seek the council's approval before spending money on planned satellite voting offices in Bethlehem and Washington Township.

The six-way race included three Democrats and three Republicans.

In April, Santiago scrambled to collect enough votes to be able to run in the primary election.

The Allentown City Council member will face Republican Robert E. Smith Jr. in November's general election.

Mackenzie, who has served in the House since 2012, is all but assured another 2-year term.

A state senator since 2019, Mastriano had former President Donald Trump's endorsement.

The 52-year-old from western Pa. defeated U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb and 2 other candidates.

The ACLU contends 257 unsigned ballots from Lehigh County should be counted.

The seat was created when legislative maps were redrawn earlier this year.

Fetterman says he expects to make a full recovery and return to the campaign trail soon.

An overwhelming number of mail-in ballot requests statewide and locally come from registered Democrats.

Acting DOS Secretary Leigh Chapman said her conversation with Lehigh County DA Jim Marting was 'brief' and 'cordial.'

At very least, the remapping has divided the city of Allentown, leaders say.