Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

President Donald Trump campaigned on immigration enforcement and recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations have gained national and local attention. This week on Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick look into the public's reaction to these raids.

Larry O’Donnell, a 15-year borough resident, was appointed to fill a council vacancy through the end of the year.

The U.S. Senate could vote on the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act this week. If passed, millions of Americans would lose access to Medicaid and SNAP benefits in order to fund border security and tax cuts to wealthy Americans.

The emergence of the gig economy has altered the American workforce and created questions about what benefits and protections independent contractors should have under federal law. U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, discussed that during the roundtable.

Bill Bachenberg is a major supporter of President Trump and co-owner of Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays in North Whitehall Township. A former board member, he recently became president of the National Rifle Association.

Federal immigration officials on Friday issued their first statement since arresting 17 people at the Five10 Flats on June 11. Mayor J. Williams Reynolds this week described the arrests as "an American tragedy."

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, got an earful from a constituent Saturday after he accused protesters of feeding a charged political environment that's led to assassinations.

Emrick Boulevard in Bethlehem Township hosted the first of four rallies organized in the Lehigh Valley to coincide with a military parade in Washington, D.C., on Trump's 79th birthday. At least one physical confrontation occurred.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie voted in line with the Republican majority to strip more than $1 billion of federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting over the next two years.

Ryan Crosswell, a recent arrival in the Lehigh Valley, is the third Democrat to get in line to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. The seat should be one of the most contested U.S. House races in the 2026 midterms.

Former President Trump's endorsement of Dr. Mehmet Oz could have mixed results, some say.

A Lehigh County probe showed 288 cases of people depositing more than one ballot - a violation of the law.

Norberto Dominguez says a shortened timeframe to campaign affected his decision.

In most cases the violators can't be identified, so no one will be prosecuted.

Lisa Scheller and Kevin Dellicker are seeking the Republican nomination for the 7th Congressional District.

Attention focused on a candidate not in attendance -- Lt. Gov. John Fetterman.

Six candidates -- 3 Republicans and 3 Democrats -- are vying for the Lehigh Valley's new state Senate seat.

Among the demands: moderators be registered Republicans who live in Pennsylvania.

Candidates say they intend to run for the Lehigh Valley's new Senate seat as well as a 3rd state House seat in Allentown.

Amy Cozze has left the Northampton County elections department and is now working for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.)

The party is launching its campaign for the wide-open races of governor and U.S. Senate.

Pennsylvania is losing a seat in the U.S. House because of population losses in the 2020 Census.