The two Democrats hoping to unseat Republican state Sen. Jarrett Coleman in November faced off in Tuesday’s primary election.
It was a close race, with Pinsley slightly ahead at 11 p.m. with 11,154 votes and Merkl-Gump with 9,439.
The votes were spread over two counties. As of 11 p.m., Merkl-Gump was ahead in Bucks County with 6,159 or 71.6% of the votes, and Pinsley had 2,419 or 28.1%.
In Lehigh County, Pinsley had 8,735 or 72.7% of the votes by 11 p.m., and Merkl-Gump had 3,280 or 27.3%.
Full results are not yet available. Check back for updates.
The winner will face Coleman, who is unopposed in the Republican primary. Both candidates ran on a message of restoring affordability, and promised to protect residents’ interests against rapid development and the data center industry.
The 16th District covers parts of Bucks and Lehigh counties, including Allentown, Alburtis, Coopersburg, Macungie, Slatington, and Heidelberg, Lower Macungie, Lower Milford, Lowhill, Lynn, North Whitehall, South Whitehall, Upper Macungie, Upper Milford, Upper Saucon, Washington and Weisenberg townships.
The district is about 46% Republican, 35% Democrat and 19% independent or third party.
This is Pinsley’s third run for the 16th District seat. He announced a run for Congress last year but dropped out of that race in February.