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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, January 12, 2015

Lamont McClure Decides Against Re-Election

In what has to be a blow to Northampton County workers, Lamont McClure has just announced he will pass on this year's District Council races. Last year, he was often the sole voice to expose Executive John Brown's many mistakes. But he can count. He knows his district is much more conservative now than it was four years ago. With McClure out, this seat will almost certainly go Republican.

For years, I have spoken out against McClure. Now that I am finally in his corner, he decides against running. Is my support that bad?

From Lamont McClure: "Today I am announcing that I will not be seeking re-election to represent District 3 on the Northampton County Council. Recent personal and professional changes in my life have converged to make the prospect of a year long campaign less than ideal.

"I make this announcement with some regret. My time in county government has been tremendously rewarding. Working for the people of Northampton County, for what will be nearly 10 years at the end of my term in 2015, has been a great joy. Whether it was leading the fight to save Gracedale from being sold to a for-profit corporation, or fighting to keep your property taxes as low as possible, or voting to protect and preserve more farmland, environmentally sensitive areas and open space than any other councilperson in Northampton County history, serving the public in this capacity has thus far been the highlight of my public life. Serving the people in county government has always been my highest and only political ambition.

"This has been a difficult decision. I am concerned that with my departure, County Council will have one less voice to oppose some of the policies that Executive Brown has attempted to bring to our County in his first year as Executive. I am proud to have played a significant role in opposing his government by high paid consultant, illegal budgets and unnecessary tax increases. Only time will tell whether Mr. Brown will have learned from all of the missteps he made in 2014.

"As for the future, I have not ruled out a return to county government. If the Brown Administration continues on its current path, I may once again seek to return to fight for the people of Northampton County as a candidate for County Executive in 2017.

"I wish to thank the voters of District 3 who have twice entrusted me with representing their interests on County Council."

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lamont's father's death on New Years Day was a big factor here. They were close, I am told and he may not have the desire at this time to have a campaign to deal with this year. Too bad-- he was an outspoken voice that needs to be heard.

Anonymous said...

Don't let the door hit you on your way out!

Anonymous said...

Yes, considering the rubbish you wrote in the Obama posting, you are fucking toxic.

Anonymous said...

He had a chance to make a difference in county govt and blew it, totally ineffective across the board.

c said...

Too bad, gave it his all, stuck to his principles.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to see him go. Anyone who is against John Brown's form of government will be missed. I hope that the Ds in that district will come out and support a D candidate.

Anonymous said...

Score a point for better government. This is addition by subtraction and Lamont should be applauded for leaving a job he performed halfheartedly and miserably when he deigned to show up. He's what's wrong with local politics and his kind should stay as far away as humanly possible. Good riddance to very foul rubbish.

Anonymous said...

Yes! We deserve total Republican control. People need to live it to finally understand it.

Anonymous said...

I am totally conflicted now. He was a part time advocate at best for the workers. He could have done it better than he did but even his half heartedness was appreciated. I hope a person of the people of the county steps up and now runs for office. We need our voices heard at county. Eat the rich!

Anonymous said...

Nothing more than political strategy. Please spare us the emotion. The self-serving statement is funny and revealing.

He is leaving because he knows if he runs for county council and loses he is done for the Executive race. He wants to run for County Executive. So he will not gamble on a loss but start now for his 2017 campaign.
Politics 101

Anonymous said...

A guy that touts himself as a man of the people but misses 75% of meetings shouldn't hold office. Guy was a lazy partisan hack- only reason he's doing it is to make a run at executive in a couple years. What a choice we'll have- Brownie, Barron, McClure- God help Northampton County. I'm waiting for "one Vote Joe" to put his hat in the ring....

Anonymous said...

This clears the way for RMM to run in his place and hold the torch for the Gracedale watchmen.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear the news about McClure's father passing. Thank you Mr. McClure for sticking up for the worker and taxpayer and putting common sense first. The anonymous hacks that comment on here are a joke!

Anonymous said...

The guy only looks good next to Brown. Of course next to Brown Stalin looks like Pope Francis.

He was and is a blowhard. Never broke a sweat and would be as bad a county executive as Brown. God help us, please offer more choice than Brown and McClure.

Anonymous said...

4:36. How do you figure he missed 75% of the meetings. Last I checked he made just about every county council meetings. If you are talking about committee meetings, you know less about county government than you do about west Easton

Anonymous said...

McClure will never run for CE. His days in county government will be over. Brown should be elated that his greatest critic on council will be leaving. But until the end of the year, I hope that Lamont gives him hell!

Anonymous said...

Political driftwood.

Anonymous said...

Now is not the time to quit. Continue to fight, with us, for us. A campaign is a campaign. Go out there, do your best and let the people in your district decide. Don't count yourself out. You are a good leader for the common good. Stay. Fight. You are needed!!!

Anonymous said...

He could stay and fight. he knows he would lose so he is bugging out. So much for commitment. You employee types think with your hearts and not your heads, The guy is in it for himself.

Bernie O'Hare said...

This commenter is attacking McClure for refusing to spend his money on a race he knows he will lose. That is not a function of courage but intelligence. Only a fool would waste his money on a race he knows he will lose. What McClre is doing is waiting two years. It's called a tacticaL retreat.

Anonymous said...

Makes sense. But he should double down this year by making Browns life miserable.

Anonymous said...

Now you are a McClure supporter?? You really are as crazy as JG says you are.