BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Northampton County Controller Tara Zrinski will run for county executive this year, she announced Friday.
Zrinski will formally announce her candidacy Thursday night at United Steelworkers Hall in Bethlehem, according to her campaign, alongside other Democratic candidates for local office.
She will share a “vision for the future of Northampton County, highlighting her commitment to building coalitions, fostering innovative solutions, and advancing the county’s legacy of sustainability and prosperity,” a spokesperson for Zrinski wrote.
Before becoming the county controller in 2024, Zrinski served as an at-large member of Northampton County Council for six years, including stints as chair of its Economic Development and Energy, Environment and Land Use committees.
Zrinski has also served on several boards and commissions, including the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority, and the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.
Zrinski grew up in Bethlehem Township. She earned an undergraduate degree in English and philosophy from Drew University, along with Master’s degrees in theological studies and pastoral counseling from Moravian University.
As controller, she is responsible for "internal control" of the county's "fiscal transactions, according to home rule charter.
In practice, that amounts to overseeing audits of county government spending and tax programs.
She is the first Democrat to announce a run for Northampton County Executive after Democratic incumbent Lamont McClure announced this week he will not seek a third term in office.
Only one Republican candidate, County Commissioner Tom Giovanini, has joined the race so far. He and Zrinski are well acquainted with each other’s approach to government and politics; both served on county council from 2018 through the end of 2023.
