Democrat Zachary Cole-Borghi has a strong lead in his bid for reelection as Lehigh County commissioner, despite his candidacy being roiled by his arrest in August.
Cole-Borghi — who was among 22 people charged with drug offenses in August after a three-year grand jury investigation — held a commanding lead over Republican challenger Jacqueline Rivera, with 9,046 votes to Rivera’s 4,002 in the race for the District 3 seat. The district covers parts of Allentown, Bethlehem, Catasauqua, Fountain Hill and Hanover Township, Lehigh County.
Cole-Borghi was charged with possession with the intent to deliver a pound of marijuana and possession of marijuana, but details have been unavailable because charging documents remain sealed by court order. Cole-Borghi denied the charges and said his prosecution was political.
The other contested race is District 5, where Democrat Sarah Fevig also led over Republican Patrick M. Leonard in the race to replace Jeffrey Dutt, who decided not to run again. Shortly before 11 p.m., Fevig had 12,059 votes to Leonard’s 7,836.
District 5 includes parts of Allentown, Salisbury Township, Coopersburg, Upper Saucon Township, and Emmaus.