Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

Three incumbents — Candida Affa, Cecilia “Ce-Ce” Gerlach and Santo Napoli — are seeking to retain their seats in the 2023 Democratic primary for Allentown City Council. They face challenges from Luis Acevedo, Rodney Bushe, Sarina Torres and Tino Babayan.

The candidates are incumbents Jacob Roth and Diane Kelly, Public Safety Commission member Chris Peischl, local business owner and former commissioner Ben Long and former commissioner Thomas Johns.

Easton mayoral candidates Peter Melan and Sal Panto Jr. will partake in an audience-driven debate at Lafayette College Monday, May 8.

The candidates are trying to fill three seats.

Monday, May 1, is the last day to register to vote in the Pennsylvania primary.

Five Republican candidates have signed a pledge to ban transgender students from using the bathroom of their choice and review the curriculum for "wokeness."

Democrat Terry Houck is attempting to secure the Republican nomination for Northampton County district attorney with a write-in campaign. The effort is opposed by Northampton County Republican Committee Chair Glenn Geissinger.

Newcomers looking to unseat three incumbents in primary election for Bethlehem Area school board.

The two positions bring a diverse set of experiences to represent those visiting the polls. The candidates include a project manager, corrections officer, lawyer and horticulture specialist among others.

Five incumbents are running on a record of high test scores and few tax hikes, while five challengers campaign on improvements for the district.

Meanwhile, Lehigh County Sheriff Joe Hannah and district attorney candidate Gavin Holihan locked up both primaries in their races.

Members of Northampton County Council's government committee suggested changes to the county home rule charter, including a commission that could rewrite it altogether.

Voter turnout was about 23.74% among Democrats and Republicans in Northampton County — only slightly better than Lehigh County’s 22.5% voter turnout rate.

Take a look at stories throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Unofficial results in Lehigh and Northampton counties suggest voters rallied around candidates for Northampton County Council and Lehigh County district attorney, among others.

Conservative Republican slates targeting LGBTQ issues and library books swept GOP primary races across three districts. Democrats and moderate Republicans who cross-filed landed victories on the Democratic ticket.

Six candidates were poised to move on to the general election for the Bangor Area School Board, eliminating half of the incumbents in the race.

The primaries winnowed the field for Pen Argyl Area School Board, but voters in Pen Argyl and Plainfield Township will have more decisions to make in November.

Northampton County Commissioner Tara Zrinski claimed victory in the Democratic primary for Northampton County Controller, setting up a general election fight with fellow commissioner John Cusick.

First-time candidate Cindy O'Brien won the Republican primary in the race for Bethlehem Area School Board.

Two of the three candidates supported by Moms for Liberty Northampton survived the primary, both being in Region I.

Tuesday's primary election set up a number of races for the fall general election. Here are capsules from Lehigh and Northampton counties.