2019 general election: Ballots full for races in Lehigh and Northampton

What had been a slam-dunk for Northampton County judicial candidate John Morganelli has instead turned into more of a layup.

Because of the upcoming retirement of Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden, the county’s first female judge, there are now to be two vacancies.

Morganelli, the longtime serving district attorney who has decided to cap his career on the bench, is still considered a shoo-in for one of the seats since his is the only name to appear on both parties’ ballots.

The other seat will be contested by assistant district attorney, Democrat Abe Kassis, and former president of the Northampton County Bar Association, Republican Victor Scomillo.

Both were their respective party’s endorsements after McFadden’s surprise retirement announcement in August. McFadden said she plans to leave the job in November.

Meanwhile, in Lehigh County, Judge Anna-Kristie Morffi Marks, who was confirmed by the state Senate and approved by Gov. Tom Wolf in July to fill a vacancy after she won both parties’ nominations in the primaries, is unopposed for a full 10-year term.

Marks, wife of Whitehall Township Police Chief Michael Marks, is filling the seat left open last year when Carol K. McGinley retired and became a senior judge.

Judicial positions carry an annual salary of $183,184.

Morganelli’s successor in the district attorney’s office will be either Democrat Terry Houck, his longtime first deputy DA, or Republican Tom Carroll who said he is the only candidate who has been both a prosecuting and defense attorney.

The county controller’s race will be between Democrat Tony E. Bassil, now Easton City controller, and Republican Hayden Phillips, a former member of Northampton County Council. The winner will replace Richard “Bucky” Szulborski, who was appointed last year to fill a vacancy.

In the county council contest for the seat in District 4, which includes Walnutport borough and Lehigh Township, Democrat Dan Engle, a Pleasant Valley High School graduate, and Tom Giovanni are seeking the four-year position now held by Matthew H. Dietz. Both ran successful write-in campaigns in the primaries.

Lehigh Township will have a new member on its board of supervisors, because Gerald L. Pritchard defeated board chair Darryl Snover in the Republican primary. Pritchard is opposed by Democrat Michael R. McGonigle, a retired police sergeant.

There are no contested races for Walnutport Borough Council.

In the region of the Northampton Area School District that includes Lehigh Township, incumbent John Becker won both parties’ nominations in the primary and will be joined by incumbent Robert Mentzell on the Republican ticket and Barbara J. Knoll on the Democratic ticket as the three seek two seats.

In Lehigh County, nine candidates are vying for four at-large seats on the Board of Commissioners. Democrats are incumbent Dan Hartzell and Zakiya Smalls, Dave Harrington and Bob Elbich. Republicans are incumbent board chair Marty Nothstein, incumbent Brad Osborne, Antonio Pineda and Dennis Nemes. Matthew Schutter also is a candidate, running on the Libertarian party ticket.

Republican Glenn Eckhart is seeking re-election as Lehigh County controller and is opposed by Mark Pinsley of South Whitehall Township. Longtime county DA Jim Martin and Sheriff Joe Hanna are unopposed.

There are five candidates for four Slatington Borough Council four-year seats. Republicans are incumbents Byron Reed, David Schnaars and Joseph Wechsler and Democrat Thomas Bartholomew. They are joined by newcomer Republican Kevin Steckel. Bartholomew and Wechsler also are seeking a two-year seat on borough council.

Josh B. Friebolin is unopposed for re-election to a six-year term as Washington Township supervisor.

There are five candidates for five four-year terms and one candidate for one two-year term on the Northern Lehigh School Board, and there are five candidates for five seats on the Northwestern Lehigh School Board.

There are no magisterial district justice races in the Times News areas of Northampton and Lehigh counties this year.