The winner of that race will take on State Rep. Joshua Siegel, who has previously announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination.
“I have a proven pro-taxpayer record of fighting for common-sense ideas and needed government reforms that I will bring to Lehigh County’s government.” Simmons explains. “I’m a common-sense person. I think County Government can do more with less. This I can promise you…As your County Executive, I will never sign a budget that increases taxes, I will always support our law enforcement, and I will keep local zoning decisions where they belong…. with locally elected municipal officials.”
After spending 5 years in the private sector and successfully overcoming health issues that his previous opponents used as political fodder against him because he missed some time to seek treatment for his health, Simmons is now determined more than ever to give Lehigh County residents a new pro-taxpayer voice they deserve.
45 comments:
Simmons is fraud. In recent years he has aligned himself with democrat political operatives. He is about to get smoked in a Republican Primary. The Republicans don’t want him.
I thought Justin was working for the Democrats. Honestly shocked to see him running as a Republican.
Definitely won’t vote for this guy. The amount of scandals that he is carrying is a reporters dream. He has no shot of winning.
Can't see a Republican winning Lehigh County. Even against MAGA turnout Dems won here in 2024.
I'm a commonsense guy with common sense answers.
Let me get this right. The guy who left his wife and child for a guy who works with the democrats, claims he is the best choice for the republicans. I’m living in the twilight zone.
That is untrue. He is aligned with Ray Lahoud, whom I believe is a registered R who supports both Rs and Ds. He looks beyond party. It is what I try to do except I have no money lol.
Nothing is ever perfect, but Lehigh County has experienced relatively stable and effective government for decades. I cannot imagine a good outcome from an executive race between Simmons and Siegel. Both candidates are awful choices.
Beat me to the comment. Two of the most unlikeable, unqualified people in the County. God help us....
Simmons had great constituent services and always made himself available to residents of the community. He’s got my vote!
I understand Simmons and Mckenzie hate each other. Anyone know why ?
"I think County Government can do more with less. This I can promise you…As your County Executive, I will never sign a budget that increases taxes"
I can assure you that County Government has been doing more with less and less and asking more and more from employees for the last 15 - 20 years. There is only so much juice you can squeeze...
Hyman for the win!
Siegel, by far, is the worst possible candidate!
Saying "do more with less" is like saying "don't fix the leaking roof and we saved you money".
There is another candidate that is going to be entering the race this week. He is going to bring the heat to Simmons and expose him for who he really is. It is going to be a fun primary to watch!
I literally would vote for anyone over Siegel. Even Pawlowski!
Fun to watch, as in dirty, mud slinging? ----- just what we need, more juvenile, hateful behavior.
Siegel is so narcissistic, & inexperienced that Ds will vote R in this one.
that's right, but the general public doesn't understand, so they expect it anyway and say government can keep cutting because they believe its all waste, fraud and abuse that has been drilled into their heads and then government can't function well (a self-fulfilling prophecy)
All personal BS. So what if the guy is gay. It’s 2025. Nobody cares.
Hahaha
Maybe because Mckenzie sat on committees and had accomplishments from his state rep tenure and Simmons didn't
WRONG…and Simmons knows how to work. Unlike Mackenzie, who was handed his seat in the State House by his father in the corrupt party conferee process. Not to mention, Simmons didn’t embarrass himself by running for State House leadership after serving half a term and then continuing to haplessly run for State House leadership term after term.
Justin Simmons was born in Langhorne, Pennsylvania and raised in the Lehigh Valley. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in 2008. Justin began to pursue his career in state government during his senior year at Saint Joseph’s where he worked as an intern for State Senator Rob Wonderling. After completing his internship, Justin worked part-time as a district legislative aide for Senator Wonderling and was then offered a full-time position where he was responsible for managing the Senator’s Northampton County office. When Senator Wonderling resigned to become CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Senator Mensch was elected to the seat and Justin continued to fulfill these duties.
Justin’s unwavering fervor for politics, public policy and his community ultimately led him to the decision to run for State Representative in his
district in January of 2010. At the age of 23, he went on to win the primary election, and then the general election at the age of 24. His successful elections into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives made him the second youngest individual to ever be sworn into office in the history of the state’s General Assembly. Justin served the 131st legislative district for the next five terms. After serving as State Representative for a decade, Justin made the decision to retire from elected office and enter the private sector at the end of 2020.
Over the course of Justin’s legislative career, he served on eight different House committees. These committees included: Transportation; Urban Affairs (he served as Secretary in the 2011-2012 session); Health (he served as Secretary in the 2013-2014session); State Government (he served as Subcommittee Chair on State Government Operations in the 2013-2014 session); Liquor Control (he served as the Subcommittee Chair on Licensing in the 2019-2020session); Education; Human Services; Insurance; and Children and Youth. Justin was also State House appointee to the Pennsylvania Community Development Bank and served on the Select Committee on Property Taxes in the 2011-2012session.
While serving in office, Justin was successful in introducing three pieces of legislation that were signed into law by Governors of both parties. These pieces of legislation included child protection laws and home-rule county tax policy. In addition, Justin successfully introduced legislation that was incorporated into state budget code bills and were signed by Governors of both parties.
Proud of his district, Justin spent a significant amount of time in office working towards initiatives that would strengthen the business climate in the Lehigh Valley, create jobs and enhance the lives of residents through revitalization and beautification projects. Justin was successful in bringing millions of state tax dollars back to his district for projects such as library expansion, as well as several major infrastructure projects that attracted economic development from top tier companies like Wawa, McDonalds and St. Luke’s Health Care Network. Among many other funding initiatives, Justin was also responsible for securing funding for one of the oldest communities in Lehigh County to replace crumbling sidewalks, crosswalks and curbing, as well as the installation of lights throughout the community to enhance safety for its residents. Justin currently resides in the township he grew up in and represented in the General Assembly. He is the proud father of his daughter, Reagan, and two dogs, Maggie and Toby
Is this true? Was the guy Lindsay Graham?
I wish Justin well and don't care that he's gay, if that's the case. He should live his authentic life and not hide behind a veil of of the Mental Heath disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. THE DSM
does not recognize Homosexuality as a Mental Health Disorder.
Be well Justin. Good luck in this race.
Ryan Mackenzie is in a glass house regarding the gay thing. Everyone in Harrisburg knows he’s not really straight and faithful to his wife. I mean just look at the guy.
Three whole pieces of legislation in 10 years, amazing. Thanks for the book jacket Justin's mom, or more likely Donna the defender. You left out his unwavering fervor for trout license applications and epic paper-shredding events. Though he never got very far in privatizing liquor or eliminating property taxes, he's always got humiliating himself and getting wrecked by Charlie Dent to fall back on.
And yet Donald j Trump is your president
lol. Charlie Dent? I think in Charlie’s entire political career from the state house to US Congress he might of named some post offices. I don’t know of one piece of legislation that he actually authored. Probably a bad example butch.
Assuming this is former LCRC Chair Jess “Butch” Banotai. Talk about living in the closet!
Let me guess - funded by the Integrity Leadership Fund? LOL I hope they host the defeat party at Lahoud Law
Didn’t Justin miss almost ever vote as a Pennsylvania representative? I seem to a remember a Morning Call article
No, Ray Lahoud - owner, operator, and sole contributor to the Integrity Leadership Fund. Public records
I know you Simmons sycophants confuse easily, but you're mixing up the topics ace. How little Justin had to show for state rep tenure was compared to his daddy Mckenzie. Getting wrecked by Dent was Dent ending Simmons career revealing how much of a fraud he was via his own words with texts groveling for $ and wanting to replace DJT at the top of the ticket. You fools forget quickly. Try dog catcher.
You read my mind. We cannot continue to pretend the Lahoud political machine is acceptable
Yes, on this same blog in '10
Literally only Charlie Dent would remember that and take it out of context like he did with all his opponents during his entire career sucking off the public teet. CNN not working out for you? Your own party hates you Charlie. The only sycophant is you for yourself.
Actually didn’t Simmons end Dent’s career? Revisionist history.
Justin wasn’t in office in 2010 numb nuts.
It’s amazing when people comment as if they know “the truth” about someone. Justin Simmons spoke in front of a crowd of approximately 400 people at DeSales University a few years ago regarding his experience living with OCD. It was amazing! He touched so many lives that day, including mine. So many health professionals as well as those struggling with mental health issues were present for the event. Maybe instead of assuming you “know” his history, you might want to have a conversation with him about it. Those of us with disabilities were inspired by his honesty.
Well I won't vote for this creep! I mean, talk about deception. He lied to his family, friends and his poor ex-wife that he like dudes. Talk about Duping Delight. He certainly is no Christian. This situation reminds me much of the former Director of Lehigh CountyChildren and Youth. She was into chicks, but not before she duped a good Christian Man into marrying her until she "came out" and ruined his life. Then, years later, she was instrumental in giving Sara Packer back her daughter. What in the Good Lords Name is wrong with these people who act Holier than Thou, but lie to everyone along their vengeful wake. The wrath of God have mercy on them.
Dear Lord, no pun intended, but I could care less about people’s personal lives when I vote. Some of these holier than thou Republicans criticizing Justin Simmons anonymously supported Jane Baker, Pat Browne, and Charlie Dent in the past. Pat’s current wife Heather, was his intern when they started their relationship while Pat was married. So spare me the holier than thou bullshit.
Are you describing Ryan Mackenzie?
You people are nuts. That category is in the DSM. Thank god I'm a Devout Athiest.
Amen!
Post a Comment