This weekend, 20 Lehigh County district 22 precinct committee people, or PCPs, will gather to interview candidates for the February 24th special election to replace outgoing state Rep. Josh Siegel.

“My wife and I, we were elected for this job,” said Erik Rodriguez, a former PCP.

Rodriguez and his wife will not be a part of the process after being replaced by Democratic leadership.

“When you missed three consecutive meetings, the bylaws allow us to remove,” said Lehigh County Democratic Chair Lori McFarland.

Even though Rodriguez won’t be participating, he and a handful of other Democrats raised concerns about the process and who should be selected.

“An interim representative should be a caretaker, not a candidate seeking an advantage in an upcoming election,” said Leo Atkinson, the co-founder of the Lehigh Democratic Socialists of America.

Atkinson is referring to one of five candidates up for nomination, Julian Guridy.

As an active member of the party, Guridy is a PCP and is part of the selection committee.

Also on the committee is the outgoing officer holder Josh Siegel, who has endorsed Guridy and Candidate Erlinda Agular.

Siegel says if a PCP ends up being the nominee, it won’t be an advantage over the other candidates.

“Whoever wins the special election nomination will be in office for a very short time before voters in the entire district get to register their actual final determination in the May primary,” said Siegel.

Siegel says there have been many special election candidates who have lost in the primary.

Party leaders say they’ve been through this process many times.

“We are following state law, and we are following party bylaws,” said McFarland.

McFarland says the PCPs will make their selection on January 3rd and then it will be up to the state party to make the final determination.

69 News reached out to the special election candidates for statements on the PCP process.

Candidate Lewis Shupe:

“I honestly don’t expect to be appointed to this position, but I don’t like the appointment process itself and I will be speaking more on this than I already have as I follow along. That’s why I started a petition a couple of weeks ago at https://c.org/XjYxzbsjvG and as well, I posted my first crowd sourcing a legislative initiative at the Facebook group “Allentown PA community”. But if somehow, I am selected, one goal I will work for, besides the initiative, will be to use my knowledge of the state library in Harrisburg to uncover details of the NIZ and would be willing to work with Jarrett Coleman for this purpose. And I would intend on working for all registered voters, not just D’s. And if I am not selected, which I expect, keep an eye on me because I promise 2026 will be very interesting in the local political scene. Like, I am also running for the PA-07th Congressional district as a Democrat in the next election. More info can be found at http://www.shupeforcongress.com. Thank you”

Candidate CeCe Gerlach:

“I look forward to speaking with the precinct committee people and members of the Lehigh County Democratic Party. Regardless of the decision made by the party, I will be running in the primary to represent working- and middle-class residents of the 22nd District.

As a legislator I’ve worked hard to pass policies that make the lives of working families better and it will be an honor to take our fight to Harrisburg as the next State Representative in the 22nd District.”

Candidate Julian Guridy:

“I am following the process as specified under state law and party bylaws. Since the special election was called, I have had conversations with every member, supporter or not, about my background and plans for office. I am excited to be running and look forward to fighting for my community in Harrisburg.”

Candidate Erlinda Aguilar:

“The rules to select a replacement for PA District 22 were shared with the PCPs earlier this month. I received a call this morning from Fadia Halma, Parliamentarian of the Lehigh County Democratic Committee asking if I was planning to attend the meeting on Saturday, Jan 3, 2026 at 10am at the IBEW offices at 7th & Walnut Sts. I responded “Yes, I will be there.” The selection meeting is not open to the public or the media. The name of the person selected will be on Saturday will be submitted to the Executive Committee of the PA Democratic Party. They will decide who will be the Democratic Nominee during the Special Election on February 24, 2026. It is expected there will also be a Republican Nominee.

I hope the process is transparent, and favoritism and nepotism will not prevail as expressed in the rumors from different sources. I hope the person selected is a proven and experienced leader who is known for the results they have brought to the table. We also need someone who can unite all people to work together as we are all part of the same community. If one person benefits so does everyone else.”

69 News was unable to reach Candidate Douglas Kunkle.