Josh Siegel is entering the fall campaign with a bank account that is nearly 100 times higher than that of his Republican opponent Roger MacLean in the race for Lehigh County executive.
Siegel, a state representative in the 22nd House District, had $200,403 in cash as of June 9, according to a report filed by Friends of Joshua Siegel for the period May 6 to June 9.
MacLean had $2,666 as of June 9, according to a report filed by Roger MacLean for Lehigh County Executive.
The lopsided funding in the race comes as both candidates have a base of popularity – Siegel as a former city council member who has championed affordable housing and increased funding for schools and MacLean as a former Allentown police chief and city council member who later worked with the county District Attorney’s office.
Siegel’s flush account is the result of a fundraising stream he has generated as a state representative. The 22nd, which covers east Allentown and parts of Salisbury, was created when House boundaries were redrawn as a result of the 2020 Census. It had no incumbent when Siegel was first elected in 2020.
Siegel started 2025 with $151,042 carried over from 2024. He raised $30,850 between Jan. 1 and May 5. He raised another $22,575 between May 6 and June 9.
Unopposed in the May 20 primary election, Siegel spent $4,063 between Jan. 1 and June 9.
In the latest report, Siegel received $9,075 in individual contributions and $13,500 from political action committees.
Siegel’s biggest donation was $5,000 from Armstrong4Executive, the committee for Democrat Phil Armstrong, the county’s current executive who is prevented under the county Home Rule Charter from seeking reelection.
Other PAC donations included $2,500 each from 1776 PAC (The United Food and Commercial Workers Union) and Fetterman for PA, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s committee. Cedar Crest Surgery Center donated $3,000 while Mathias Fenstermacher and Kevin Serfass, both of Serfass Construction, gave $2,500 each.
Among the expenses listed, the committee loaned $2,000 to Friends of Tara Zrinski, the committee for Democrat Tara Zrinski, who is running for county executive in Northampton County. Siegel loaned his campaign $4,000.
MacLean faced a primary challenge from Mike Welsh, a former Allentown School Board member and insurance company owner.
MacLean’s committee raised $11,825 between March 14 and May 5 and spent $6,321, leaving him with $5,500. It raised another $4,310 and spent $7,147 in the final weeks of the primary campaign. That left him with $2,666 as of June 9.
Donors between May 6 and June 9 include Munhel Makhoul ($2,000). MacLean donated $1,000 to his campaign. His campaign paid $7,147 to Communications Concepts for yard signs, street lists, mailers and postage.