Should the newest Lehigh County commissioner be a familiar face with years of experience in county government, or a fresh voice with new ideas about how to serve the county’s approximately 385,000 residents?
That’s the question before the current commissioners, who are tasked with replacing one of their own just weeks before the crucial budget season.
Ten candidates were interviewed Wednesday for the seat that opened up earlier this month when at-large Commissioner Jon Irons stepped down ahead of a planned move to Atlanta due to a family member’s job opportunity.
Phillips Armstrong, who served two terms as Lehigh County executive before leaving office at the start of this year, is among those seeking the post. He sought to distinguish himself from the other candidates by listing his accomplishments and familiarity with the county’s many departments, especially social services.
“We’re here for the people in the county that really need us. We provide services that, without us, this vulnerable population would be left without hope,” Armstrong said.
Other candidates stressed a need for a new perspective on the board in light of recent controversies, including the arrest of Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi, a member of the governance committee overseeing the hearing, who is awaiting trial on drug-related charges.
“I believe the Lehigh County commissioners need some good news,” said Rev. Geoffrey S. Whitcomb, a Lower Macungie Township music teacher who is seeking the post. “It’s time to put on some new people who are not connected to this system.”
The other candidates who have submitted their names for consideration are:
• Heather Dean, an insurance broker from Allentown
• Stevie K. Draklan, a Washington Township attorney
• Keith M. Miller Sr., an Allentown psychologist
• Jason Nagle, an Allentown resident and program manager at Victory House, which helps homeless veterans
• Jay Rohatgi, an Upper Macungie Township resident and Parkland School Board member
• Ben Stemrich of Allentown, head of the weather department at Blue Ridge 13 News
• Juan Vargas, a South Whitehall Township resident and owner of Nowhere Coffee Co.
• Sean Ziller, deputy director of economic development for Bethlehem.
Lehigh County’s 2026 budget anticipates a deficit of about $3.7 million, with projections that the gap could surpass $5.5 million if reserve funds are tapped further.
The candidates were asked if they would consider raising property taxes to fill the gap. All said they would consider it, with caveats that the increases should be small and incremental, with some suggesting that retired homeowners be spared.
“I would want to make sure that we treat it as an absolute last resort, after we have looked under every stone, looked everywhere there is an opportunity to do other things before we actually ask the tax payers to foot the bill,” Rohatgi said.
Affordable housing was high on the list of problems several said they’d like to tackle as a county commissioner. It was one of the platforms Irons ran on, along with stopping mass incarceration.
“While Lehigh County continues to grow, I hear many of our residents talking about how hard it is to pay their rent,” Miller said.
Nagel agreed.
“I don’t know that there is any truly affordable housing. The rent prices are so exorbitant, it’s not attainable,” he said.
Draklan said she’d use the analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills she’s honed as a lawyer to be an effective commissioner.
“These are the same skills I’d use to evaluate a case or determine a legal argument, and they translate very well into evaluating legislation and analyzing large sets of data,” she said.
While some of the candidates had held office before, the appointment would be a first government post for several. Dean said she would rely on her experience in the corporate arena to bring a fresh level of fiscal discipline to the post, and find innovative ways to raise revenue.
“I’ll be the watchdog for the public’s money. I’ll fight to keep Lehigh County affordable,” she said.
Vargas also cited his corporate and small business experience.
“Good leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, understanding the facts, weighing competing priorities and making thoughtful decisions that serve the long term interests of the people you represent,” Vargas said.
Stemrich said his 10 years of experience attending government meetings as a journalist has given him a unique perspective on what the people of Lehigh County need.
“It gave me an itch for transparency and accountability,” he said.
Ziller cited his experience in fiscal oversight and economic development for why he would be a good candidate to help Lehigh County overcome its challenges.
“I believe this is a moment in time when my experience can meaningfully benefit the county,” he said.
The commissioners must appoint Irons’ replacement on Aug. 12, or the matter will be settled by a county judge. All candidates are Democrats, which also was Irons’ affiliation, and will serve until the end of his term in 2027.