BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A four-term incumbent is looking to fend off a challenge from a 22-year-old borough council president in the Republican primary for state representative in the 183rd District.
State Rep. Zachary Mako and Zachari Halkias, president pro tem of the Slatington Borough Council, each hopes to face Democrat Joseph Lenzi in the November general election.
Lenzi is running unopposed in the primary.
The 183rd District includes Lowhill and North Whitehall townships and Slatington in Lehigh County, and Allen, East Allen and Lehigh townships, part of Moore Townships and Bath, North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport in Northampton County.
Zachari Halkias
Halkias identifies as a “true conservative,” according to his website. He is pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-school choice, pro-law enforcement and pro-parental rights.
On his Instagram page, Halkias posts images of his support of Donald Trump for president.
A third-generation Lehigh Valley resident and fifth-generation Pennsylvanian, Halkias said he decided to run for public office to oppose government interference in people's daily lives.
“I’m running because I feel that I’m the best-suited candidate for the district. I share the values of this district. I’ve shown that by being active in my community as a councilman and a community member."Zachari Halkias, Republican candidate for the 183rd state House District
“I began an interest in public office in 2020 when people were personally disaffected by COVID-era policy making,” he said. “I wasn’t interested until politics became very invasive in our day-to-day lives.”
Halkias said he first got involved in politics helping other Republicans get elected, then decided to run for borough council.
“I’m running because I feel that I’m the best-suited candidate for the district,” Halkias said. “I share the values of this district. I’ve shown that by being active in my community as a councilman and a community member.
“My family was community engaged. We’ve had a business here in Northampton and Lehigh counties, and I’ve owned a business here. I want to apply all I’ve accomplished and learned in my service to my community.”
Halkias said he has worked tirelessly to serve the people of Slatington, including helping revitalize public safety, welcoming new businesses and organizing events to bring the community closer together.
Halkias said he pledges to work to reduce takes and advocate for fiscally responsible budgets as debut and costs of living increase.
Halkias said he also is focused on ensuring problem-free elections, given the issues with voting machines in Northampton County last year.
Halkias was appointed to the Lehigh County Republican Committee in 2021.
Halkias said he does not view his age as an impediment to winning the Republican primary.
“My age is apparent when people meet me,” he said. “I don’t want to draw attention away from my age, but I want to focus on all that I’ve done at my age.
"I was elected borough councilman at 19, outpolling an incumbent councilman. People like that I’m passionate about this in spite of my age. Not a lot of people see that in people my age these days.”
Zachary Mako
Mako did not respond to repeated requests to be interviewed for this report.
Mako first was elected to the House seat in 2016, when he was 28, and is seeking a fifth term.
Mako, 35, was raised in Walnutport and is a Northampton Area High School graduate.
He enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard following high school and learned to fly Chinook helicopters. He twice was deployed to Afghanistan.
Among Mako’s stated priorities is property tax reform. He favors legislation that would give residents who are at least 65 years old and earn less than $60,000 a year a $5,000 break on their school property taxes.Zach Mako campaign
Mako serves on the state house appropriations, finance, professional licensure and veterans affairs and emergency preparedness committees.
Among Mako’s stated priorities is property tax reform. He has said he favors legislation that would give residents who are at least 65 years old and earn less than $60,000 a year a $5,000 break on their school property taxes.
Such a rebate would be made possible with the Senior Citizen Additional Property Tax Rebate Fund.
Mako also is focused on job creation and infrastructure improvements.
Mako has said he hopes to pass legislation that improves parental rights when their child is hospitalized for a mental health issue.
A Kutztown University graduate, Mako received a master’s Degree in Business Administration at Penn State University.
Mako resides in Walnutport with wife, Brittany.
