Mike Welsh, former ASD director, running for Lehigh County executive
Republican Mike Welsh, a former member of the Allentown School Board, announced he is running for Lehigh County executive.
“It’s an honor to step up to represent the county that I have had the privilege of calling home,” said Welsh, 62, who lives in Allentown.
“Lehigh County has given me incredible opportunities — it’s where I’ve raised my family, run a small business, and served my community both in and out of office. Now, as our county grapples with new challenges and faces an uncertain future, it’s time for a steady hand and strong leadership.”
Welsh, owner of AC Thompson Insurance in Allentown, is the third candidate to announce plans to run in the May 20 primary. The seat is open because incumbent Democrat Phil Armstrong is prevented under the county’s Home Rule Charter from seeking a third term.
Also running in the Republican primary is Justin Simmons, a former state representative in the 131st House District.
Josh Siegel, a state representative for the 22nd House District, is the only Democrat seeking his party's nomination at this point.
Ex-lawmaker Justin Simmons announces run for Lehigh County executive
Candidates must submit valid nomination papers before being placed on the ballot. Petition circulation begins on Feb. 18 and ends March 11.
Welsh was elected to the Allentown School Board in 2013 and served three years before resigning for professional reasons, according to The Morning Call.
“I know how to fight on behalf of residents and taxpayers. When I served as one of the few conservatives on the Allentown School Board, I fought against tax increases and wasteful spending while also working with both sides to get things done for students,” his announcement said.
“And as a small business owner, I know the challenges that taxpayers and working families are facing in our county. I’m looking forward to fighting tax increases, supporting our local law enforcement, ending our status as a sanctuary county, and restoring common sense to the Lehigh County government.”
Welsh ran unsuccessfully for state representative in the 132nd House District in 2008 and unsuccessfully for Lehigh County commissioner in 2009 and 2011.
Welsh said he wants to keep “left-wing radicals” out of county government. He specifically mentioned Siegel.
“Make no mistake, Josh Siegel is an extremist, an opportunist, and a danger to the people of Lehigh County. This career politician has run for five offices in seven years, only ever completing a single two-year term in the process,” said Welsh, who is mounting his fifth run for office since 2009.
He went on to say, “In between running for office, he’s amassed a record of supporting a myriad of far left positions. He has supported over $100,000,000 in new taxes on Lehigh County residents, sending social workers to respond to 911 calls, ‘decolonizing the education system,’ and defunding the police. Josh Siegel has no business running the government of Lehigh County.”
Siegel, at age 22, ran unsuccessfully for Allentown mayor in the Democratic primary in 2017. He was elected to Allentown council in 2019. Two years later, he announced then dropped plans to run for mayor. He was elected to the state House in 2022 and reelected in 2024.
In April 2020, as the coronavirus caused businesses to shutter, Siegel and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, who was Siegel’s boss at the time, released a paper recommending a regional prosperity tax district that would generate $100 million through a 1% sales tax and 0.5% per capita tax. The two saw it as a way to stabilize then rebuild the Lehigh Valley’s economy. The idea never went anywhere.
In August 2021, after the guilty verdict in the death of George Floyd, Siegel and council member Ce-Ce Gerlach penned an op-ed for The Morning Call, asking the city to consider investing in a crisis management program that would relieve police from spending time acting as crisis responders, mental health technicians, school counselors and social workers.
Siegel was also present at a Black Lives Matter rally calling for police reform in July 2020.
Welsh, who is from Paoli, has a bachelor’s degree in business management from DeSales University. His nearly 40-year career in insurance includes 21 years with Liberty Mutual Insurance in Allentown and 11 years as owner of AC Thompson Insurance.
Welsh is the past board president of the Liberty Bell Shrine Museum and the Allentown Flag Day Association. He is active in the DeSales University Alumni. He and his wife have three children.