BETHLEHEM, Pa. — State Rep. Joe Emrick has secured re-election in Pennsylvania’s 137th House District — a seat he has held since 2011.
With 98% of the vote in, Emrick held a 3.6% lead over Democratic opponent Anna Thomas, with 20,203 to 18,796 votes, respectively, according to unofficial returns.
Thomas conceded the race Wednesday morning.
“While the results were not what we had hoped for, we will continue to work together to fairly fund our public schools, protect women’s rights, and keep the Lehigh Valley a wonderful place to live,” said Thomas.
“To every volunteer who knocked on doors and made phone calls, to every donor who invested in this vision, and to every voter who placed their trust in me—thank you. I am moved by your outpouring of support. Together, we are laying the foundation for real change and a better future in the Lehigh Valley.”
Emrick and Thomas last faced off in the 2022 state House race, with Emrick taking the election by a margin of 703 votes.
In the early hours just after polls closed Tuesday night, Thomas had shown a small lead over Emrick, though as the night went on the incumbent took charge and widened the gap. By 11 p.m., Emrick had accrued more than a 2,000-vote advantage, practically locking his spot.
Turnout for 2024 was significantly higher, which is standard for presidential election years, with over 37,000 voters weighing in on the 137 District.
In 2022, Emrick was nearly taken down by Thomas, with 15,619 to 14,916 votes in favor of the incumbent.
Emrick said that combating excessive warehouse development is a key component of his coming term, listing it as “one of my top legislative priorities.”
Pointing to the loss of open space and farmland due to warehouse construction, along with increased truck traffic and air, sound, and light pollution, Emrick has pushed his House Bill 1960, which would require that warehouses and distribution centers over 100,000 square feet in size and located on three acres of land should require approval by a voter referendum.
“I have heard loud and clear from local officials about the need for more local control in the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code," Emrick said.
"That is why I introduced House Bill 1960: to maximize local control by giving the people a voice at the ballot box in the final approval of these high-impact warehouses.
"This way the community can say with one voice when and how this kind of growth should continue."
Emrick has also said he is focused on implementing a common sense approach to inflation, aiming to lower taxes and costs on everyday expenses including groceries, gas, and energy.
Additional legislative priorities for Emrick include smart growth policies that “protect and create family-sustaining jobs,” fully funding public education without tax hikes, increasing community safety, and improving healthcare.
“Now more than ever we need team players, willing to put politics aside and go to work for our community,” Emrick said.
