Nothstein leads by 58 votes to finish Dent’s term
Republican Marty Nothstein has a 58-vote lead over Democrat Susan Wild in the contest to serve out the remainder of Republican Charlie Dent's congressional term.
A Morning Call tally of unofficial results showed Nothstein with 127,040 votes and Wild with 126,982 votes. However, there are provisional and absentee ballots still to be counted in the five-county district that Dent had represented until May.
If the results stand, Nothstein would represent the former 15th Congressional District through the end of the year. Wild won the full congressional term in the 7th District, the new Lehigh Valley district created due to the state Supreme Court's redrawn congressional boundaries.
“If I am elected to serve in Congress for the remainder of Charlie Dent's term, I will do that just as everyone has elected me do to so, and I will do it to the best of my ability,” Nothstein said Tuesday before supporters gathered at the Best Western in Hanover Township, Northampton County.
Nothstein's campaign staff declined to comment further Wednesday morning, saying they would await final results.
The old 15th District includes Lehigh County and parts of Northampton, Berks, Dauphin and Lebanon counties.
The district was realigned earlier this year when the state Supreme Court determined the old GOP-drawn maps unfairly favored Republican candidates. Much of Dent's old 15th District became the 7th District, which includes Lehigh, Northampton and part of southern Monroe counties and is more friendly to Democratic candidates.
If Nothstein wins, it prompts some questions about his political future. Nothstein is also the chairman of the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners.
The county's Home Rule Charter states: “During his or her term of office, an elected officer shall not hold any other county office or county employment for compensation, any other elective public office, any other political office or political employment for compensation.”
County Solicitor Sarah Murray said if Nothstein resigns as county commissioner, the Board of Commissioners would have 45 days from the date of the vacancy to appoint a replacement from the same party.
His vacancy could have an impact on Lehigh County policy, depending on if and when he is sworn in.
Nothstein was part of the super majority vote that rejected County Executive Phillips Armstrong's 4.1 percent tax hike. Armstrong vetoed the commissioners' decision, but an override vote is scheduled for Nov. 14. If Nothstein is sworn in as a congressman before that meeting, the board may lack the votes to override Armstrong's veto.
If Nothstein declines to serve the remainder of Dent's term, the congressional seat would remain vacant until the end of the current congressional session.