Lehigh Valley Politics and Election News

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie helped secure $1.6 million in earmarks toward a new Alburtis Fire Station. The existing structure is too small to serve a modern fire department.

On this week's episode of Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell and political scientist Chris Borick dissect the Democratic sweep in elections across the country and the Lehigh Valley last week.

The House passed a bill Wednesday night to end the nation's longest government shutdown, sending the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature after a historic 43-day funding lapse that saw federal workers go without multiple paychecks, travelers stranded at airports and people lining up at food banks to get a meal for their families.

Billions of dollars for Pennsylvania’s public schools and social services will soon start flowing after months of delay, as lawmakers on Wednesday approved a $50 billion spending plan to break the state’s budget impasse.

The historic 40-day federal shutdown could be coming to an end after eight members of the Democratic caucus broke ranks on a procedural vote Sunday.

Gov. Josh Shapiro says Pennsylvania's utility companies have stepped up to shelter low-income households this winter. The customers are usually covered by LIHEAP, but the federal assistance program has experienced delays due to the federal government shutdown.

“If my vote is the deciding vote … let me save you the suspense: No va pa sa. It’s not happening,” Councilwoman Cynthia Mota said during her Election Night speech last week.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh/Bucks, introduced the bill in 2023 after a student brought a knife to Schnecksville Elementary School. Parents didn't learn of the incident until a week later.

Three Democrats will join the Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners in January. The trio appear to have become the first Democrats to be elected to the township governing body in more than a half century.

The winners, based on unofficial results, are Democratic candidates: Kimberly Jaramillo, Luis Melecio, Josh Rager and Chris Sykora — who ran together on a slate.

The chamber will return this week to focus on providing legal relief to sexual abuse survivors, but leaders are still debating what permanent rules to govern the chamber should look like.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. kicked off his campaign for a record seventh term in office Thursday night.

Colón, a Democrat, is seeking a third term. He was first elected in 2016.

Incumbent Mayor Sal Panto Jr. on Thursday plans to make an official announcement of his candidacy for reelection in the upcoming municipal elections this year.

The decision comes three months after Pinsley lost his state Senate race, running as a Democrat.

Laird, who helped found the Bethlehem Food Co-op, announced a run for City Council Tuesday.

Cusick, 56, a Republican, was elected to county council's at-large seat in 2006, and has represented District 3 on the body since 2016.

Michelle Graupner, a South Whitehall Township Democrat, hopes to become Lehigh County's second clerk of judicial records.

91.3 WLVR's Brad Klein speaks with Capitol Bureau Chief Sam Dunklau about the balance of power in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

The Pennsylvania state House has been unable to function for a month. Three special elections this week could end the standoff, though big questions remain.

The refusal thus far of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro to disclose who paid for his inaugural party has exposed the gap in state law that lets governors in Pennsylvania escape the kind of transparency sometimes required elsewhere

Atty. Brian Panella pushed back on claims by Atty. Nancy Aaroe, his opponent in the race for Northampton County Court of Common Pleas, that he lacks trial experience.