This November, Lehigh Valley voters have one of the best chances in years to change the balance of power in Harrisburg.<\/p>\n
There are an unusually high number of contested elections, with 10 of the 11 state House and Senate seats up for grabs. Locally, only Rep. Jeanne McNeill, a Democrat representing the 133rd District, is running unopposed.<\/p>\n
Currently, Republicans hold a majority in the Senate with 27 seats to Democrats\u2019 23. Democrats hold a slight edge in the House of Representatives, with 102 seats to the GOP\u2019s 101.<\/p>\n
Experts say the races in the 137th and 187th House districts, and the Senate\u2019s 16th and 14th, are among the most competitive.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look back at the most recent state legislative elections in the Lehigh Valley, these four districts have provided some of the more competitive battles,\u201d said Christopher P. Borick, a professor of political science at Lehigh University.<\/p>\n
Another close race is the 131st House district, where a recent poll showed the candidates in a dead heat less than a month before the election.<\/a><\/p>\n Here are the contests to watch, and why:<\/p>\n State House races Republican Rep. Joseph Emrick vs. Democrat\u00a0Jeffrey Warren<\/p>\n The district includes Bethlehem (Northampton County portion), Lower Nazareth and Upper Nazareth Townships; parts of Palmer Township and Hanover Township, Northampton County; Nazareth and Tatamy.<\/p>\n Why watch: \u201cEmrick has won narrow victories in the last two elections, and in this difficult cycle for Republicans, he may face his greatest challenge,\u201d Borick said.<\/p>\n The national Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has targeted the 137th as a district to flip. Emrick, a former Upper Nazareth Township supervisor and history teacher, has represented the district since 2011 and is seeking his ninth term in Harrisburg. Gov. Josh Shapiro has endorsed Warren, a Northampton County commissioner.<\/p>\n 187th District<\/p>\n Republican Rep. Gary Day vs. Democrat Rachel Marie Guynh-Cuevas<\/p>\n The Lehigh County district includes Heidelberg, Lower Macungie, Lynn, Washington and Weisenberg townships; part of Upper Macungie Township; Alburtis and Macungie.<\/p>\n Why watch: \u201cGary Day carried the district by a comfortable 10-point margin in 2024 but with heavy headwinds facing Republicans, this race looks more competitive this year,\u201d Borick said.<\/p>\n Day, the incumbent, was first elected in 2008 and served until 2022, when he lost the seat to fellow Republican state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie when redistricting pitted them against each. Day returned in 2024, when Mackenzie was elected to Congress, and was uncontested in the primary. Day has an advantage with name recognition, pollsters say, but President Donald Trump\u2019s dismal performance ratings are dragging down fellow Republicans, and could negatively affect Day\u2019s chances at the polls.<\/a><\/p>\n 131st District<\/p>\n Republican Rep. Milou Mackenzie vs. Democrat Meriam Sabih<\/p>\n The district spans parts of Lehigh, Montgomery, and Northampton counties, including Lower Milford, Salisbury,\u00a0 Upper Milford and Upper Saucon townships, Coopersburg and Emmaus.<\/p>\n Why watch: A recent State Navigate poll showed the candidates in a dead heat, with each receiving 47% of the votes and just 6% undecided. The election is a rematch of 2024, when Mackenzie, now in her third term, bested Sabih with 58% of the vote.<\/p>\n State Senate Democratic Sen. Nick Miller vs. Republican Omy Maldonado<\/p>\n The district covers parts of Allentown and South Whitehall Township; Allen, Bushkill, East Allen, Hanover (Lehigh), Hanover (Northampton), Lehigh, Moore, Salisbury and Whitehall townships; Bath, Catasauqua, Chapman, Coplay, Emmaus, Fountain Hill, North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport.<\/p>\n
\n137th District<\/p>\n
\n14th District<\/p>\n