MORE: Full list of school board candidates in the Lehigh Valley
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh Valley's 2023 municipal elections began to come into focus as candidates filed their nomination petitions for Tuesday's deadline.
While not as high profile as the presidential or midterm elections, the local races may affect residents quality of life more. The winners of these campaigns will set municipal tax rates, preside over civil and criminal cases and approve or reject development proposals.
- Republican Gavin Holihan appears to be unchallenged in the Lehigh County district attorney race
- Democrats have crowded fields in the races for Allentown City Council, Bethlehem City Council and Lehigh County commissioner
- No Republicans appear to have filed in the Northampton County district attorney campaign
This analysis has been compiled from unofficial candidate lists released by Lehigh and Northampton counties. Opponents have until next week to challenge petitions, which could force people off the ballot.
Judge of Northampton County Court of Common Pleas
No surprise candidates emerged in the final days of the petition process. That leaves the race between Democrat Brian Panella and Republican Nancy Aaroe, who have cross-filed. Both names are well known in the region, but perhaps not for the candidates themselves. For years, local airwaves have carried ads for Paul Aaroe, Nancy's husband, and his practice focusing on DUI cases. Meanwhile, Panella's father Jack Panella is president judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
Northampton County District Attorney
Campaign mailers have already started reaching voters in this unusually heated race. Stephen Baratta retired as a Northampton County judge in December to challenge incumbent Terry Houck. They'll face off in the Democratic primary. There isn't a Republican challenger in the race.
Northampton County Council
Four district seats are up for grabs.
- District 1, which represents the Bethlehem area, will pit Democrat Ken Kraft against Republican William Rowe. Kraft previously served as council president before resigning in 2018. Rowe is the founder of the Bethlehem-based Elevate Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
- District 2, which represents the Easton area, features a showdown between incumbent Kerry Myers and Forks Township Supervisor Kelly Keegan in the Democratic primary. No Republicans filed in the district, which leans Democratic.
- District 3 represents many of the county's suburban communities, including Bethlehem Township, Hanover Township and Nazareth. The matchup will feature Republican Casey Foreman, a realtor, against Democrat Jeff Warren, a former Hanover Township supervisor and Easton councilman.
- District 4 covers the Slate Belt and the county's northern tier. Incumbent Tom Giovanni, a Republican, is running unopposed.
Northampton County Controller
Republican John Cusick will have to wait until May to learn who he'll be facing in the November election. Nadeem Qayuum will face off against Tara Zrinski in the Democratic primary. Qayuum is the husband of Easton Councilwoman Taiba Sultana while Cusick and Zrinski are Northampton County commissioners.
Easton Mayor
Sal Panto is already the longest-serving mayor in city history, and he's seeking a seventh term. He's being opposed by City Councilman Peter Melan. The winner of the Democratic primary will likely decide the race. No Republican filed in the race.
Bethlehem City Council
Incumbents Paige Van Wirt and Wandalyn Enix are not seeking re-election, but that doesn't guarantee council will see two new faces. Among Democrats, candidates include Council President Michael Colon, former City Councilman Bryan Callahan, campaign manager Celeste Dee, Bethlehem Food Co-Op founder Colleen Laird and mortgage advisor Ricky Butler. The top three candidates will continue to the November ballot.
The two Republican candidates, Devin Brunges and Thomas Ginthner, should have clear sailing to the general election.
Lehigh County District Attorney
Republican Gavin Holihan appears to have an open path to becoming Lehigh County's next district attorney. No other candidates filed to appear in either primary. Incumbent Jim Martin, Pennsylvania's longest-serving district attorney, hired Holihan as his top lieutenant in January and endorsed him in the contest.
Lehigh County Commissioner
Democrats have a crowded field with seven candidates running for four spots on the November ballot. They include Sheila Alvarado, an aide to state Rep. Peter Schweyer; former state representative candidate Michael Blichar; incumbent Dan Hartzell; Jon Irons, who serves on the executive board of the Lehigh County Democratic Committee; La Mega 101.7 FM owner Victor Martinez; community organizer April Riddick; and Joe Setton, a former South Whitehall Township supervisor.
The four Republican candidates won't face competition until the general election. They include Northern Lehigh School Board Vice President Gary Fedorcha; political newcomer Paul Moat; former county commissioner candidate Jackie Rivera; and former Southern Lehigh School Board member Rita Sisselberger.
Lehigh County Controller
Democratic incumbent Mark Pinsley will seek a second term as county controller. He'll be opposed by Republican Robert Smith, a former member of the Allentown School Board. Both men mounted unsuccessful campaigns for state offices last year. Pinsley lost to Jarrett Coleman in a state Senate race while Smith was defeated by Josh Siegel in a state representative race.
Allentown City Council
Democratic voters will likely determine the city council race this summer when they chose between seven candidates for the three spots. No Republicans filed in the heavily Democratic city.
Incumbents Ce Ce Gerlach and and Candida Affa are seeking re-election. Santo Napoli, who was appointed to council earlier this year, will look to win his own term. Their challengers include former city council candidates Luis Acevedo and Tino Babayan; Rodney Bushe, a specialist with the non-profit Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley; and Sarina Torres, a Kutztown University student and Allentown business owner.
Political hopefuls who failed to turn in their signatures will not appear on the primary ballot. They can still mount write-in campaigns to receive their party's nomination or attempt to run as independents or third-party candidates in the general election.
