ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners appointed a new commissioner Wednesday night at the government center.
Phillips Armstrong Sr. was selected to fill an at-large vacancy created by the departure of former Commissioner Jon Irons, a Democrat, who announced his resignation, effective July 9. Irons’ term ran through the end of 2027.
The appointment, which Armstrong secured on the seventh vote, required a majority of sitting commissioners, which was five. The body had eight sitting commissioners, but Commissioner Zachary Cole-Borghi was not in attendance and did not vote Wednesday night.
Armstrong was one of 10 applicants for the position who commissioners interviewed July 29. The other applicants were Heather Dean, Stevie Draklan, Keith Miller Sr., Jason Nagle, Jay Rohatgi, Ben Stemrich, Juan Vargas, Geoffrey Whitcomb and Sean Ziller.
The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners is looking for its newest member to fill the vacancy left by Jon Irons, who recently resigned.
The appointee is no stranger to Lehigh County politics. Armstrong was elected as Lehigh County executive in 2017 and was reelected in 2021. In addition, he was elected as a commissioner in Whitehall Township where he served also as chairman. Armstrong’s career outside politics was in education. He retired as chairman of the social studies department at Whitehall High School after many years as a teacher.
Armstrong highlighted his experience and consensus-building as attributes for his candidacy.
“My experience at the local, county, regional and national levels provides a unique perspective that would allow me to contribute immediately as a member of the board of commissioners,” Armstrong wrote in an application letter. “My approach has always been one of collaboration, fiscal responsibility, respect for differing viewpoints, and a commitment to putting the interests of Lehigh County residents first.”
Armstrong praised his opponents’ candidacies as part of a brief address to commissioners Wednesday night.