Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Without enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, Lehigh Valley residents have seen their Pennie premiums climb more than $300 a month on average.

Jessica Ortiz and Paulette Hunter withdrew their objection to state Rep. Ana Tiburcio's candidate petition Tuesday, clearing the way for a Democratic primary battle between Tiburcio and Allentown City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach.

With primary petitions now filed, the Lehigh Valley’s election season is coming into clearer focus, with several races likely to be more competitive than they first appear.

Jessica Ortiz and Paulette Hunter filed an objection to the petition state Rep. Ana Tiburcio's campaign submitted last week in her bid for a full term representing Pennsylvania's 22nd House District.

Thirteen of the Lehigh Valley's seats in the General Assembly look like they'll have a contested November election. State Senate races in Lehigh and Northampton counties will have contested primaries, as well.

“Political affiliation has become a barrier,” Ron Beitler said on this week's "Political Pulse." “It’s become a barrier when you’re talking to someone one-on-one. It’s become a barrier particularly on social media.”

Bob Brooks, Ryan Crosswell, Lamont McClure and Carol Obando-Derstine have filed petitions for the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. The winner is expected to take on Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie in the November election.

On this week’s episode of Political Pulse, Tom Shortell talks with political scientist Chris Borick about the political risks, messaging challenges and historical context surrounding the bombing of Iran.

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke Tuesday at Lehigh University about political turmoil and a path forward.

Appearing this week on Lehigh Valley Political Pulse with host Tom Shortell, Carol Obando-Derstine framed her resume as a contrast with other Democratic primary contenders.

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is hearing from former Justice Department leaders who knew about an effort by former President Donald Trump to use the DOJ to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results.

A Pennsylvania state lawmaker and ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump is launching a “forensic investigation” of the state’s 2020 presidential election, demanding cooperation from counties and mimicking a widely criticized partisan effort in Arizona.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a massive infrastructure bill last week, supported by Democrats. Now paving its way to the Senate, a Republican speaks out about the legislation.

The Northampton County District Attorney says a state trooper was justified in a fatal shooting in May following his investigation.

Gov. Tom Wolf is halting a package of election law changes pushed by the Republican-led state legislature, a move that has been widely anticipated.

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced charges June 29 against Allentown City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach for endangering the welfare of a child and failing to report suspected child abuse, both misdemeanors.

Gov. Tom Wolf spoke out on June 17 against a Republican-backed election reform bill, calling it an ‘unconstitutional’ attack on voter rights.

The 2021 primary election drew a historic number of voters in Lehigh and Northampton counties despite it being an off-year, municipal election.

Mayor Bob Donchez is wrapping up his second term and term limits prevent him from running again. The sole Republican candidate is former Lehigh County Administrator John Kachmar.

PBS39 and WLVR’s Allentown mayoral debate May 6 was focused on Latino affairs and revealed the candidates' strong opinions about policing in Pennsylvania’s third-largest city.

Voters with visual disabilities face challenges if they want to vote-by-mail in Pennsylvania.

The 2020 U.S. presidential election saw the highest voter turnout in over a century, but controversy has swirled about the way Americans voted whether that was in person or by mail.