EASTON, Pa. — Northampton County Commissioner Ron Heckman will not seek another term on the board, while Commissioner John Goffredo will run to keep his seat, each announced Monday.
Heckman, a Democrat, has been a member of the council since 2018, and has served multiple terms as its president and vice president. He also previously was a member of council from 1990 to 1998.
Before beginning his most recent stint on council, Heckman led the county’s Department of Human Services and was a project manager for Lehigh County.
“At this point in my life, I wanted to move on and let somebody new come in, and spend more time with my wife, my dogs, go on different trips and things like that.”Northampton County Council member Ron Heckman
After decades working in local government, Heckman said he is looking forward to taking some time off.
“At this point in my life, I wanted to move on and let somebody new come in,” Heckman said, “and spend more time with my wife, my dogs, go on different trips and things like that.”
His decision to step down at the end of 2025 energizes the contest taking shape for the council’s five at-large seats by guaranteeing at least one newcomer will join the body come next year.
'More people for my generation'
Goffredo, a Republican from Washington Township, was elected to his first term on the council in 2021.
He works as a project manager with Nu Cor Management, his family’s Bangor-based construction company.
“It might not be wanted all the time, but I think it’s good to be heard — my perspective and people that come from my background."Northampton County Council member John Goffredo
Though he originally planned not to seek re-election, Goffredo said, he decided he brings a valuable point of view as one of the council’s youngest members and an active part of the Slate Belt.
“It might not be wanted all the time, but I think it’s good to be heard — my perspective and people that come from my background,” he said.
“I have a good position where I think there should be more people in my generation.”
So far, only two outside candidates — Democrats Nadeem Qayyum and Jason Boulette — have announced they are running to join the council.
The body's three other incumbents have not yet shared whether they will run for another term.
Pennsylvania’s municipal primaries are scheduled for May 20; municipal elections follow on Nov. 4.
