UPDATED: Following the Money: Five Republicans and Five Democrats Vie For Five Open Seats on NorCo Council.

Northampton County Council, established in the county's 1978 Home Rule Charter, is arguably its most powerful branch of government. In addition to "exercising the legislative power of the county," it sets the salaries of all employees, levies taxes, adopts the budget and confirms executive appointments. It also exercises the county's "residual powers." It consists of nine part-time members who are paid an annual salary of $12,500, with the President getting an extra $500. They serve for four-year terms and may serve no more than three consecutive terms. Four members are elected from districts consisting of the Bethlehem, Easton, Nazareth and Slate Belt areas. The remaining five member are elected at large, meaning they are elected by the entire county. The five at-large seats are up for election this year. 

Republicans have five candidates for five seats, meaning that the GOP nominations of John Brown (inc), John Goffredo (inc.), Juan Martinez, Sam Elias and Daniel Campo. They are running together as a united front. Who is backing these candidates?

John Brown (inc). - I'm unable to find a committee for him. He reports having neither raised nor spent any money between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25. 

John Goffredo (inc.) - Between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25, Goffredo raised no money, but instead donated $1,000 to Tom Giovanni's Executive campaign. Goffredo has $1,133.88 in his treasury. 

Juan Martinez - Between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25, Martinez raised $4,075, including a $1,600 loan to his campaign. He spent $3,996.92, leaving him with $78.08.

Two things stand out. First, he reports a $500 contribution from Lehigh Financial Group's Jeff Barber. Barber referred to minority-owned businesses on Allentown's Hamilton Street as a "cancer." Given that Martinez himself is a minority business owner, he may want to rethink having Barber as a supporter. Second, he failed to itemize his expenditures. He needs to amend his report. 

Sam Elias. - Between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25, Elias raised $1.885. His contributions were all $250 or less, except for one $500 contribution from Rachel Haddad. He also lent his campaign $100. 

Daniel Campo. - Between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25, Campo raised $2,025 and spent $253. He has $1,747 left. His main contributor is himself ($2,000). 

Democrats also only have five candidates on the ballot. They are Lori Vargo Heffner (inc), Theresa Fadem, David Holland, Jason Boulette and Nadeem Qayyum. In addition to the five on the ballot, Patti Bruno is waging a write-in campaign after her nomination petition was rejected for the fatal error of failing to file her financials with the county council clerk.  Because she is not on the ballot, campaign finance reporting law is inapplicable to her. 

Lori Vargo Heffner (inc.) - She told me her report is boring and she's right. She raised $145, but had a treasury of $1,748.69 as a result of monies left over from her previous election. She spent $426.24.

Theresa Fadem - I have seen no report for this candidate, wither individually or from a committee. She may have filed an affidavit indicating she will be spending under $250. If she thinks she can be elected without raising or spending money, Democrats have already ceded one seat. 

David Holland. - Has raised $3,060, which comes from a donation to himself. He has spent $3,996.92, of which $2,000 went to Michael Laws to help him with a website and media. 

Jason Boulette. - Has a warchest of $16,083.81, which includes contributions of $9,137 between 1/1/25 and 5/4/25. Council members Jeff Warren and Kelly Keegan have contributed to his campaign. So has Tara Zrinski, who is running for Executive. He also picked up $2,000 from trade unions and $500 from former Exec. Glenn Reibman. 

Nadeem Qayyum. - has filed no committee report. His individual report reports a $300 in-kind contribution for a voter builder but fails to state where the in-kind contribution came from. He needs to amend. He reports expenditures of $1,1019.22 for voter builder and "printing/stickers."

Updated 3:28 pm. Fadem's report was filed yesterday, and she has been fined. She reports spending $2,234.76 for campaign signs, Thank You cards, fundraiser expenses (she received no contributions)