Election 2013

Scott Ott Will Run Again for County Executive

After a narrow miss in 2009, Scott Ott runs again for Lehigh County's top job.

Scott Ott, 51, a fiscally conservative Republican, told supporters and friends on Jan 24 that he will again run Lehigh County Commissioner in the fall. Ott is making his second attempt for the county's top job which narrowly eluded him in 2009 when, as an unknown, he came within 900 votes of beating seasoned Democratic politico Don Cunningham. He is currently a Lehigh County Commissioner, a position to which he was elected in 2011. “I am running for Lehigh County executive because I want to make our local government more accountable to the taxpayers who fund it and more effective for the people it serves.” Ott said in a written announcement. “I have spent my time on the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners fighting for reforms that reduced…

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Candidate for Lehigh County Commissioner Withdraws

Dan Paschke withdraws his candidacy for a Lehigh County Commissioner seat, on the eve of the appointment, and throws support behind Mike Schware.

Tonight, when Lehigh County appoints a new commissioner to the seat vacated by Glenn Eckhart, there will be one less name to consider. Early this morning Dan Paschke, who works as a community outreach specialist for Representative Justin Simmons (R-131), withdrew his candidacy when he learned the search committee recommended someone else for the position. "I've been contemplating this decision since last night. While I believe I'm still the best candidate [for the open commissioner seat], I respect the committee's decision," said Paschke. Paschke's withdrawal comes on the heels of recent reports that the committee appointed to recommend a new commissioner will endorse Mike Schware for the position. Eckhart vacated the seat when he took …

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