Northampton County Council race remains too close to call
Control of legislative body up in the air
The race for five at-large Northampton County Council seats was too close to call late Tuesday, with less than 1,000 votes separating the top eight candidates.
Two of four Democratic incumbents were leading in their bids for reelection, according to unofficial results.
With 156 of 156 precincts reporting, incumbent Democrats Tara Zrinski and Lori Vargo Heffner had small leads, while Ronald R. Heckman, a longtime councilmember, and first-term member William McGee were trailing Republican challengers.
Republicans John P. Goffredo, John Brown and Nicole Romanishan had small leads.
If those results stand, Republicans would regain control of the county’s legislative branch by one seat, 5-4. Heading into the election, seven-term Republican
Council member Peg Ferraro chose not to seek reelection.
Heading into the election, seven-term Republican Council member Peg Ferraro chose not to seek reelection.
Brown, the last Republican to hold the county executive seat and a former Bangor mayor, was among those running who failed to oust the Democrats.
Brown and the other Republican candidates, John P. Goffredo, Kristin Lorah Soldridge, Nicole Romanishan and Annamarie Robertone, ran a unified campaign focusing, among other things, on improving Gracedale, the county-run nursing home, cutting taxes, supporting police and first responders, and preserving open space.
The Democrats, particularly the incumbents, ran on their records of also holding the line on property taxes and providing county services before and during the pandemic. Council is in the midst of deliberating on a proposed $528.1 million budget that would cut property taxes by 1 mill.
Democrats hold a nearly 20,000 vote edge over Republicans among the county’s registered voters, 44.7% to 36%.
Zrinski, Heffner and McGee were elected to council in 2017. Zrinski works for SunPulse Solar and is an adjunct professor. Heffner, the council president, has worked as a mental health counselor. McGee works as a business manager for the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers union.
Heckman, who has been on council since 2010, is retired. He was formerly the county human services department director. Bruno, of Easton, owns a political consulting business.
Brown, who lost his 2017 reelection campaign for executive to Lamont McClure, was picked by the county GOP following the spring primary that saw then-Republican candidate Scott Hough pull out.
Council members earn $9,500 per year, with the council president receiving an additional $500. The other four council members represent geographic regions, and were not up for election this year.