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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, April 14, 2025

After Ballot Ouster, Patti Bruno to Wage Write-in For NorCo Council

Though she has managed several political contests and should know better, Patti Bruno was removed from the ballot in this year's at-large race for the Democratic nomination to Northampton County Council. She recently told Lehigh Valley For All that she will be waging a write-in campaign for one of the five available seats. Here's how she explained it.

"So it is true, I was challenged, I did get dinged off the ballot on a technicality. ... The reason why I'm continuing to run is because this fight is so much bigger than politics. There are several Democrats who are on that slate that are Democrats in name only and they are not in this room tonight. I think that should speak volumes to you."

In order to succeed in a write-in contest, Bruno needs to get at least 100 votes and finish in the top five of the five Democrats who already are on the ballot.  

Despite what she says, it appears to me that Bruno is running against Lori Vargo Heffner for political reasons to give the Democratic Executive (assuming that Zrinski or Cozze wins) a fourth rubber stamp in addition to the three (Ken Kraft, Kelly Keegan and Jeff Warren) who already exist. 

Council President Lori Vargo Heffner, who appears to be the object of Bruno's bluster, is a left-center Democrat who has supported about 90% of what the Executive has sought. But not 100%. And that, in the eyes of the rubber stamps, is a mortal sin. Vargo Heffner takes a bipartisan approach to governing. And she questions the Executive. That's a good thing. 

We've seen what happens when legislatures abdicate their roles in favor of the Executive in nearly all branches of government. On a state level, Governor Wolf had broad emergency powers to declare a lockdown because the state legislature gave it to him. On a national level, President Trump has broad emergency powers to impose tariffs that will no doubt cause a recession becase Congress gave that power to the President.

We need more Council members like Vargo Heffner and less like Patti Bruno. 

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you need a certificate to be a professional campaign manager, or like Bruno do you just have to lose every election you, "manage". She is dreaming and the people encouraging this fool's errand should be ashamed of themselves. Also, please tell us who all these fake democrats are.lol

Anonymous said...

Beg to differ BO. Lori Vargo installed MAGA J. P. Goffredo as Vice-President of Council. His Twitter feed is filled with anti-LGBT hate. A good D would not do that.

Anonymous said...

Lamont McClure has been the best County Executive that we've ever had. Just because three Democrats have voted in support of his good policy they're called rubber stamps? What's there to question about good policy and everything good that Lamont has brought to this county? So if the three supposedly rubber stamps were to vote against good policy, that would make it better in your eyes? Lori Vargo Heffner is nothing but an obstructionist who clearly has a personal vendetta against Lamont and that's the truth, and your shitty blog loves to just pat her on the back for it. It's amazing!

Anonymous said...

Vargo-Heffner refused to vote with 4 other Democrats Keegan, Kraft, Warren and Heckman Nobody accuses Ron of being a rubber-stamp to appoint Building Trades President Paul Anthony to Council. Democrats can’t compete in the LV without the Building Trades. Trust me even Amy Cozze thinks this was a bad vote.

Anonymous said...

This is all an academic discussion. Lori finishes at least 2nd in Primary and squeaks by in 4th or 5th in General. But, it doesn’t change the fact that she is a covert narcissist and will have a Narc’s fate. Google it.

Anonymous said...

And if Giovanni wins, you watch Goofredo and Brown supporting all his work because that is what happens when you are in the same party, you have the same values and agree. Funny how you supported Lamont with everything the rubber stamps have supported but you still disparage them. Democrats supporting democratic values, wow, what a crazy idea!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Lamont McClure has been a very good county executive who works hard and has actually saved lives in a number of ways. But he is not a King and needs to be questioned. He was wrong in his opposition to a pay study and Gracedale audit and made both of these unnecessarily difficult. Though Amy Cozze was wrong to blackmail the county, he was wrong in not paying her more. In fact, all employees could use higher wages.

As I've already said, the executive branch in all levels of government has grown too strong. Vargo Heffner and Heckman have recognized this and have made Council more like a check and balance on executive overreach than a rubber stamp. Have they sometimes been a bit obstructive? Yes, and when they have, I have noted it. They have also been bipartisan, which you apparently hate. That is a good way to govern. I liked the idea of having Goffredo as Council VP. I agree with him on very little when it comes to ideological matters, but he is practical and fair-minded on most county issues.

At the LV4All endorsement meeting, only Kelly Keegan spoke against LVH. Neither Jeff Warren nor Ken Kraft publicly spoke against her.

As another reader has already noted, LVH will win the primary and probably will be the top vote getter. She is one of five candidates for five seats. I do not see Bruno overcoming even Qayyum as a write-in. It is hard to win a write-in campaign, and Bruno will not do the work.

What you are doing is making it easier for the GOP to win in November. Goffredo and Brown should win the general, though Trump has been a one-man wrecking crew for the GOP since his "mandate" of 1.62%.

A lot of what happens in this year's election will be dictated by what is going on nationally.

Bernie O'Hare said...

If Giovanni wins, I expect him to take a fairly nonpartisan approach to governing. With rare exceptions, that has been his approach as a member of Council.

Anonymous said...

Yes Lori should br booterd from the PA Federation of Democratic Women. She voted for a Council VP that believes a woman's place is in the home. She is a special type of trouble that Lori VH

Anonymous said...

First thing Giovanni will do is cut the employees health care. He’ll re-institute co-insurance as John Brown will be his Administrator guy.

Anonymous said...

Bullsh!t

Anonymous said...

Unfair. Your photos always add 60lbs.

Anonymous said...

Above party, we should stand for our country and county. We need a Democrats for Giovanni movement if Tara wins the primary.

Anonymous said...

"Lamont McClure has been the best County Executive that we've ever had."
Says someone who has issues with reality or history.

Anonymous said...

Cozze will work with the MAGA republicans. Tara will fight the MAGA's in government and protect us from the MAGA agenda. She is a progressive candidate for the future of our country.

Anonymous said...

If Lamont is so great, why does it appear that Gracedale is such a mess.

Anonymous said...

Gracedale is at 4 Stars right now. Finances are stabilized and the Home is on a path to sustainability.

Anonymous said...

LOL - No, its simply not. Dont know which admin lackey is spewing this disinformation but its a straight lie. That place is the Titanic.