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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

NorCo Exec: McClure Ahead of Lynch in Money Race

Incumbent Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure and his Republican rival, personal trainer Steve Lynch, have both filed timely post primary campaign finance reports. Although you never know what will happen in a horse race or an election, McClure is about six lengths ahead as they leave the gate. 

McClure reports that he has $181,192.41 as of June 7, while Lynch has a more modest $19,824.95. But Lynch nearly matched McClure in money raised between May 4 and June 7. McClure received $17,550 in campaign contributions, while Lynch raked in $12,991.45 during the same period. 

Historically, even as a Council member, most of McClure's money comes from trade unions and lawyers at the numerous law firms he got to know while practicing law himself. As Executive, McClure is also accepting donations from people who owe their jobs to him. 

McClure also received $1,000 from DA Terry Houck, who owes nothing to him and has proven to be a very independent prosecutor, exactly like John Morganelli. Houck's sole shortcoming is his use of Richard Huntington Pepper XXIII as an unpaid summer intern.  

Since 2000, and long before I started blogging, I have argued that anyone who contributes to a county campaign should be barred from doing business with the county for a period of two years. I have actually urged Council to adopt an ordinance to that effect. I even drafted one, but it got nowhere. The argument against my proposal is that this arguably violates free speech. Moreover, campaign finance reform should come from the state, not local government. 

McClure also accepted $500 from the King Spry law firm, which was hired last week to do outside legal work for the county. Given the wide number of rival law firms that also contributed to McClure, I highly doubt this modest donation was a motivating factor. It's ridiculous to suggest McClure would sell out for $500. 

As a matter of full disclosure, I will report that one of McClure's contributors is myself. I donated $125 on top of $100 I previously gave. I did so because McClure has been highly effective in his first term as Executive. I am impressed by the way he responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, which includes air purifiers inside the courthouse that kills respiratory viruses. His decision to build a parking lot across the street from the courthouse with a functioning crosswalk indicates he does care about the workers. Now he just needs to pay them.   

Lynch's biggest contributor in this time period is himself. He donated $8,350 in his personal funds to his campaign. His next biggest contributor is Lisa Scheller, for whom he worked as a field director when she ran for Congress against Susan Wild. 

Interestingly, I see no contributions to Lynch from GOP heavyweights like L. Anderson Daub.   

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Andy Daub may be a Republican. He isn't stupid

Anonymous said...

Tables have turned and Ds are the rich guys. Ten times the dough and ten times as beholden to his owners. Politics and money make bad government. I learned that from a Democrat. Weird.

Anonymous said...

Doesn't one of his solicitor's work for King Spry?

Anonymous said...

GOP donors are typically well off financially, and the reason they're well off financially is that they're smart and know when and when not to take risks. They know a bad bet when they see one and aren't going to put any serious cash into Lynch's campaign because they can see the guy is a poser who has no appeal other than to a small segment of his own party. Kudos to Lee Snover!

Anonymous said...

Bernie, I've been promoted!!!! I'm no longer an unpaid summer intern at the DA Office. I now get free coffee, although I'm limited to only one cup in the morning. I do have to fetch coffee for everyone else but, hey, it's a step in the right direction. I'm told that, if I continue to do a good lob with the coffee runs, I might be entrusted to get donuts soon.

One can only hope!!!

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Doesn't one of his solicitor's work for King Spry?"

Yes, Brian Taylor is an assistant solicitor and is employed by King Spry.

Anonymous said...

Didn't Lynch get a "matching" donation form G and R Electric? Where is that donation? Hmmm... something is not right!

Anonymous said...

No Lynch's biggest issue is he is seen as mentally unhinged, and his involvement in the Jan 6th insurrection at the US Capitol

Anonymous said...

Where does someone with a sketchy work history, who's house has been in foreclosure and who has a credit card judgement against him come up with over $8,000 to dump in to a political campaign?

Anonymous said...

I drove by the CVS in Nazareth last Friday night - it looked like they were having one of their little "Pick Up Truck n Flag Wavin' Rally" for Lynch. They've done these in the past for Trump over the past year. Definitely a good handful of trucks and people there, but I have noticed they're getting a little smaller and smaller each time.

Anonymous said...

What was his involvement at the capital?

peterjcochran said...

Andy Daub is not stupid. I know personally, he’s on top of stuff in this county that most people that work for it , can’t know. I’m a hard R , I want boarders and gun permits, I don’t want the government in my personal business and I want to be left alone. I respect Mr. Daub ,for reasons I will not elaborate here. At this time , however I can not see any reason NOT to re- elect the present County Executive. I can not indorse this Republican as I think he has zero background to run a lawn mower, much a County. I apologize if I’ve offended anyone who reads this , I’m trying to be a softer person.

Anonymous said...

@11:39 They are non vaccinated and catching the COVID. Hence they can get out and spew for a while.

Anonymous said...

@ 11:09 that is called Trump o nomics - Where does someone who has gone through 6 bankruptcies? Have Most business continuously loose money? Unable to pay the US government for property they are leasing? Continued Lawsuits over thievery and impropriety?

Simple Go to Russia, China, or grift it from your koolaid drinking followers.

Anonymous said...

@5:29 HIs involvement was enough that if he were anything other then a white male and even more importantly A POLITICIAN he probably would have been arrested and jailed by now.

Anonymous said...

I’m a hard R... Maybe you should cut back on the Viagra.

Anonymous said...

Many former attendees are in prison.

Anonymous said...

8:13 - Six corporate bankruptcies over a long career owing more than 500 companies is a darn good batting average. How many companies have you, or maybe, Joe Biden run?

Anonymous said...

a quarter of a million dollars given to a county office seeker? Yes time to do a charter review study. That is flat out buying something.

Anonymous said...

We should change the bankruptcy laws and if a privately held company declares bankruptcy the creditors and the people owed money should be able to go after all the money transferred out of that business to other organizations held by that individual and the same goes for private equity firms. They buys companies leverage the hell out of them then pull the cash out and say sorry too bad I don't have to pay you.