Applications are open for anyone interested in filling the seat of Lehigh County Commissioner Jon Irons, who is stepping down this week.
The at-large seat is open to any Democrat who lives in Lehigh County (because Irons is a Democrat, his replacement must be from the same party). The term ends in 2027.
Irons announced last week that he was resigning and moving to Atlanta, due to a family member relocating for work. A member of the Allentown Coalition for Economic Dignity, Lehigh Valley Stands Up and the progressive Working Families Party, Irons said in an open letter to constituents and fellow commissioners that he was grateful for the opportunity to make an impact on residents’ lives.
“The work of local government is narrow and niche, but it has a profound impact on people’s lives across the county. While I wish that I had more time to work on improving the lives of county residents, I am proud of the work that I was able to accomplish alongside community organizers and my colleagues on the board,” Irons said in his statement.
Irons’ replacement will be chosen by the commissioners’ Governance Committee, which will conduct interviews July 29 and 30.
Anyone interested in the seat should submit a letter of application to the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners by 4 p.m. July 17. Applications can be emailed to CommissionersOffice@lehighcounty.org.