ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Lehigh County Commissioner Ron Beitler said Monday he is switching his political affiliation.
He said he changed his registration to Independent. Beitler said the decision is rooted in principle rather than any specific dispute.
“This was a slow burn for me,” Beitler said.
“In many ways it just formalizes how I’ve operated for 12 years of public service. I’ve always done what I think is best based on outcomes. I don’t feel like either major party represents me at the national level, and I don’t want to be tied to either brand.”
Beitler is a second term Commissioner and Chair of the County Farmland Preservation Board.
In his announcement, Beitler noted that 45 percent of Americans identify as political independents and that the share is even higher among young adults, with more than half of Generation Z and Millennial adults identifying that way.
Beitler said divisive politics have “become a barrier to people talking to each other civilly as fellow humans” and said he chose to “remove that barrier.”
Beitler said his registration does not impact his responsibilities as Commissioner.
Under the County Home Rule Charter, the only practical difference is that if he does not complete his term, his replacement would be required to be registered as an Independent, Beitler said in his Monday announcement.
Beitler has four years remaining in his second term.