BETHLEHEM, Pa. – One-time Northampton County Council member Ken Kraft announced Wednesday he’s running for his old seat.
Kraft said his biggest strength as a candidate is his experience on council and in other parts of county government.
“I’ve been on everything from zoning boards to election commission to actually the president of Northampton County Council, twice elected,” he said. “I’ve been involved in politics since the '80s in the area, so I’m very in tune [with] what goes on in the Valley.”
- Former Northampton County Council president Ken Kraft announced Wednesday his campaign for his old seat
- Kraft announced Tuesday that he is retiring as Public Safety Administrator at Northampton County Prison
- He's running in District One, which covers the city of Bethlehem and most of the county south of the Lehigh River
Kraft said in a statement that if elected, he would prioritize preserving more farmland, keeping taxes at their current rates and maintaining county ownership of its Gracedale nursing home.
He said he also supports County Executive Lamont McClure’s plans to establish a new health clinic for county employees.
“I’ve been involved in politics since the '80s in the area, so I’m very in tune [with] what goes on in the Valley.”
Former Northampton County Council President Ken Kraft, who announced he's running for his old seat
“I support County Executive McClure and the entire Democratic Party, and will work to ensure we maintain a majority on County Council,” Kraft wrote in a statement.
Kraft first was elected to District One’s seat on the council in 2011, and was council president starting in 2016.
The district covers the city of Bethlehem and most of the county south of the Lehigh River.
In late 2018, he resigned to accept a job as Public Safety Administrator at Northampton County Prison. As he prepares to retire from that position next month, he said he’s ready to get back into local government.
This year’s primary election falls on May 16; the general election follows in November.