Wrap-up of Lehigh Valley‘s congressional, state House races and referendums
Whether you are going to the polls Tuesday or filling out a mail-in ballot at the last minute, here is a look at the local congressional and state House races. No local state senators are up for reelection this year.
And of course, there are contests for president, U.S. senator and state attorney general, auditor general and treasurer at the top of the ballot.
The Lehigh Valley has contested races in the 7th Congressional District and state House districts 131, 137, 138, 183 and 187. There are also three referendum questions.
7th Congressional District
Candidates:
Democrat: Susan Wild, South Whitehall Township, incumbent
Republican Ryan Mackenzie, Lower Macungie Township
Municipalities: All of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties as well as Eldred and Polk townships and about half of Ross Township in Monroe County.
In 7th, contrasts between Wild, Mackenzie define high-stakes race
In 7th, Wild raises four times more, outspends Mackenzie by nearly ninefold
Wild, Mackenzie differ on U.S. foreign policy
In 7th, Wild and Mackenzie want border crossings reduced but differ on methods
In 7th, Wild and Mackenzie have clear differences on abortion
Mackenzie, Wild present different approaches on economic issues, Social Security
Wild ahead of Mackenzie in the 7th in new Muhlenberg College/Morning Call poll
Update: Susan Wild disputes CNN report saying she opposes Biden as presidential nominee
Ryan Mackenzie touts his conservative record in running in 7th Congressional District
A look at incumbent Susan Wild
Contested State House races
District 131
Republican: Milou Mackenzie, incumbent from Lower Saucon Township
Democrat: Meriam Sabih, Upper Saucon Township
Municipalities: Lehigh County: Lower Milford, Upper Milford and Upper Saucon townships and Coopersburg with part of Salisbury Township. Montgomery County: Marlborough, Salford and Upper Hanover townships and East Greenville, Green Lane, Pennsburg and Red Hill. Northampton County: Parts of Lower Saucon Township.
In 131st matchup, incumbent Republican faces Democratic newcomer
Sabih wins Democratic nomination in 131st House District
In 131st, newcomer Sabih outraising, outspending incumbent Mackenzie
District 137
Democrat: Anna Thomas from Bethlehem Township
Republican: Joe Emrick, incumbent from Upper Nazareth
Municipalities: Bethlehem Township, Lower Nazareth and Upper Nazareth townships, most of Palmer Township, the fifth ward in Hanover Township, the boroughs of Nazareth and Tatamy
In 137th, incumbent Republican in a rematch with Democrat who came close to defeating him
Thomas has early cash advantage over incumbent Emrick in 137th House District
District 138
Democrat: Jared Bitting of Bushkill Township
Republican: Ann Flood, incumbent from Moore Township
Municipalities: Bangor, Chapman, East Bangor, Pen Argyl, Portland, Roseto, Stockertown and Wind Gap and Bushkill, and Forks, Lower Mount Bethel, Plainfield, Upper Mount Bethel and Washington townships, with part of Moore Township.
In 138th, Democratic newcomer seeks to unseat Republican incumbent
District 183
Democrat: Joe Lenzi of Northampton
Republican: Zach Mako, incumbent from Walnutport
Municipalities: Parts of Lehigh and Northampton counties (Slatington, Walnutport, Northampton, North Catasauqua, and the townships of Lowhill, North Whitehall, Lehigh, Moore, Allen, and East Allen)
In 183rd, Democratic 'underdog' faces incumbent Republican
Mako defeats primary challenger in 183rd House District race
District 187
Republican: Gary Day of Heidelberg Township, former 187th lawmaker|
Democrat: Stefanie Rafes, of Lower Macungie Township
Municipalities: Boroughs of Macungie and Alburtis, townships of Heidelberg, Lower Macungie, Lynn, Washington and Weisenberg, part of Upper Macungie Township (Districts 03, 07 and 08).
In 187th, newcomer faces former House member who wants his seat back
In 187th, Stefanie Rafes vastly outraises, outspends Republican Gary Day
Uncontested House races
District 22: Joshua Siegel, incumbent Democrat from Allentown
Municipalities: Parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township.
District 132: Mike Schlossberg, incumbent Democrat from South Whitehall
Municipalities: South Whitehall and parts of Allentown and Upper Macungie Township.
District 133: Jeanne McNeill, incumbent Democrat
Municipalities: Catasauqua; Coplay; Fountain Hill; Hanover Township, Lehigh County and Whitehall Township plus the Lehigh County portion of Bethlehem.
District 134: Peter Schweyer, incumbent Democrat from Allentown
Municipalities: Emmaus and parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township.
District 135: Steve Samuelson, incumbent Democrat from Bethlehem
Municipalities: Northampton County portion of Bethlehem and parts of Hanover Township, Northampton County.
District 136: Robert Freeman, incumbent Democrat from Easton
Municipalities: Easton, Wilson, parts of Palmer Township, Williams Township, Glendon, West Easton, Freemansburg, Hellertown, and parts of Lower Saucon.
Ballot questions
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