Josh Siegel - Lehigh County's Disgraceful Yet Unopposed Democratic Candidate for Executive

It's no surprise that Josh Siegel, who has referred to himself as both "visionary" and a "life coach," would want to be Lehigh County's next Executive. What is surprising, however, is that he faces no opposition from within his own party. And unless Republicans get their shit together, he'll be elected hands down in an increasingly blue county. 

Here's a reminder of how he behaved as a member of Allentown City Council:

On July 11, 2020 an incident involving Edward Borrero, Jr. and members of the Allentown Police took place outside St.Luke's Hospital Sacred Heart Campus. As a result of a 23 second video surrounding the incident taken by a passerby, a mob protested that very night. It included Councilperson Joshua Siegel, who made baseless allegations of police brutality aimed at Allentown Police and demanded defunding of the police. 

Councilperson Siegel not only participated in the protests, but also engaged in blocking streets on July 11-12, causing motorists to make illegal U-turns, causing drivers to drive the wrong direction on roadways; placing them at risk of striking other vehicles and innocent pedestrians.

During mob protests that occurred on July 11-12, Councilperson Joshua Siegel provided the Mayor’s personal cell phone number to an already angry mob. As a result, Mayor Ray O'Connell was deluged with numerous calls over a period of several days. Moreover, Mayor O'Connell was exposed to potential violence. One unidentified person told Mayor O'Connell, “I know where you live and I like flames.” 

Councilperson Joshua Siegel's willingness to dox the Mayor, combined with his demand for the names of the officers involved in the July 11 incident, results in a greater likelihood of ambush-style attacks on Allentown police.

During the mob protests that occurred July 11-12, Councilperson Joshua Siegel was heard by several people shouting “F--- the police;” although he denies this accusation. 

In an effort to be transparent, Allentown Police Chief Glenn Granitz conducted an internal review of the July 11 interaction and also requested District Attorney Jim Martin to conduct his own independent investigation; and

On July13, Chief Glenn Granitz publicly released a nine-minute video of the July 11 incident involving Edward Borrero, Jr. and members of the Allentown Police that took place outside St.Luke's Hospital Sacred Heart Campus. It showed Borrero vomiting multiple times, dropping his cellphone and staggering on the street, presenting a danger to himself and others. It shows two police officers at the hospital on an unrelated matter placing a spit mask on Borrero for the safety of medical personnel.

On July 15, 2020 a Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting was held virtually, inside Allentown City Council Chambers. During the meeting, protesters gathered in a courtyard located between the Allentown Police Department and City Hall. During the entire meeting, protesters banged on windows and used a megaphone in an attempt to disrupt the meeting. After the meeting, Councilperson Joshua Siegel joined the group in the courtyard and participated in a bow to Edward Borrero, Jr. who was arrested by the Allentown Police on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Disorderly Conduct – Engaging Fighting and Public Drunkenness, Councilperson Siegel publicly apologized to Mr. Borerro, undermining the Allentown Police Department.

On July 17, after investigation, both District Attorney Jim Martin and Chief Granitz concluded separately that there was no basis for believing that criminal action or disciplinary measures were warranted against the officers involved with Borrero.

At a July 29 meeting of Allentown City Council, Councilperson Joshua Siegeal admitted to publicly releasing Mayor O'Connell's private contact information to an angry mob. “I f---ed up,” he vulgarly acknowledged.

At that very meeting, Councilperson Joshua Siegel told his colleagues, "I am not a hypocrite. ... I respect you as my colleagues. I respect you as professionals who I will work with. ... I want to be your friend." 

Just three days later, in an online meeting on August 1 with “allies” of the Black Lives Matter movement, Councilperson Joshua Siegel publicly disparaged other members of City Council by stating they “clearly don't either have a conscience or frankly don't care and they're fine with continuing to have police officers put their knees on the necks of Allentown citizens. They're fine with continuing to maintain an institution of policing that at its very core is designed to oppress people of poverty and people of color and keep them silenced and on the streets and keep them from speaking their minds.“ 

If Lehigh County voters have any sense at all, and they increasingly prove they don't, they will hold their noses and vote for the GOP nominee in November.