Who's Running For NorCo Council?

Northampton County Council is comprised of nine members. Five of them are at-large. meaning they represent the entire county. They are elected every four years, along with the Executive. Whether they win or lose often depends on the national mood. The remaining four Council members represent specific Council districts. Those seats are up for election this year.  In these races, the national mood tends to take a back seat to how well district council candidates are known in their communities. 

District One: This includes Bethlehem (City), Hellertown, Lower Saucon Township and Williams Township. It's represented by Kevin Lott, a retired trade union agent. He has been a reliable ally to Executive Lamont McClure, but has reportedly decided against seeking re-election. 

Unfortunately, Ken Kraft has been telling others he's running. This would be a mistake. He actually resigned from Council to work at the jail. Now that his pension has vested, he wants to retire from that job and return to Council. It's one thing to be a McClure ally, but after working for McClure, Kraft has lost any sense of independence.  Moreover, he has no filter and will needlessly insult other Council members. 

I have no idea who else might be running, but hope someone does. 

District Two: This includes Easton, Forks, Glendon, Palmer, Stockertown, Tatamy, West Easton and Wilson. It is represented by Kerry Myers, who tells others he is the "head black" in the county. He recently told the Easton Area School District that he just might be the President of Council next year. His comments during meetings are laced with profanities. He is, as Dave Chappelle observed about Hershel Walker, "observably stupid."  Myers wanted to place a congressional employee on the Elections Commission even though the member of Congress in question was up for election. He was willing to overlook this obvious conflict because the employee happens to be black. He also uused his position as a committee chair to try and bully both the Exec and Sheriff. 

Myers has no place in elected office. Hopefully, he will have a few challengers.

District Three: This includes Allen Township, Bethlehem Township, East Allen Township, Freemansburg, Hanover Township, Lower Nazareth Township, Nazareth, Northampton and North Catasauqua. This district is presented by John Cusick, who along with Ron Heckman, are the most knowledgeable members of Council. Cusick, however, has been redistricted out of a job. He lives in Williams Tp. The latest District changes place him in District One, which is far too Democratic to elect Cusick. 

I've heard that Bill McGee, an asbestos union agent who lost the last at-large race, might try a comeback. 

District Four: This includes Bath, Bangor, Bushkill, Chapman, East Bangor, Lehigh Township, Lower Mount Bethel, Moore Township, Pen Argyl, Plainfield Township, Portland, Roseto, Upper Mount Bethel, Upper Nazareth Township, Walnutport, Washington Township and Wind Gap. This is both the slate belt and northwestern tier of the county, making it by far the most conservative district. It is represented by IT consultant Tom Giovanni, who has done an excellent job looking out for his district while working with Democrats.  I have not asked if he intends to seek re-election, but hope he does.

While District 4 is solidly Republican, District 1 should be solidly Democratic. Districts 2 and 3 appear to be purple.