Mediaboss Marketing

Lamont McClure Jr., Northampton County Council's longest-tenured and most powerful Democrat, announced Monday he is not seeking to keep his seat after his term ends at the close of 2015.

McClure, 44, of Bethlehem Township, who was first appointed to council in 2006, said the death of his father Lamont Sr. on New Years Day and an increase in his work as an attorney specializing in asbestos injury law suits led him to the difficult decision.

"I make this announcement with some regret. My time in county government has been tremendously rewarding," McClure said in a written statement. "Whether it was leading the fight to save Gracedale from being sold to a for-profit corporation, or fighting to keep your property taxes as low as possible, or voting to protect and preserve more farmland, environmentally sensitive areas and open space than any other councilperson in Northampton County history, serving the public in this capacity has thus far been the highlight of my public life."

McClure was appointed to council in February 2006 and since has won two four-year terms. During his time he earned a reputation as being the Democrats' most outspoken member. Even though Republicans enjoy a 5-4 majority, McClure was among the nine-member board's most influential members, known for an old-school brand of backroom deal-making to get support for his agenda.

Often with the support of labor union leadership, among his battles was a successful campaign to keep the county from selling Gracedale, the county nursing home, in Upper Nazareth. He also successfully led the effort to prevent council from approving two tax increases proposed by former Northampton County Executive John Stoffa, who argued the county was chewing into its reserve account.

More recently, McClure was shot down by the Republican majority, when a 9.2 percent tax increase the first since 2007 was approved along party lines.

"He's well-respected and hard working. His voice carries a lot of weight," said Council President Peg Ferraro, a Republican. "He's certainly voted 'no' more than anyone else."

McClure's District 3 includes the townships of Allen, Bethlehem, East Allen, Lower Saucon and Lower Nazareth and the boroughs of Nazareth, Northampton and North Catasauqua.

McClure is among four district councilmen up for re-election after 2015. District 1 Democrat Ken Kraft, of Bethlehem, and District 2 Democrat Robert Werner, of Bangor, each have announced intentions to seek re-election, while Democrat Scott Parsons has yet to make an announcement.

Two Republicans intend to run for the District 4 seat held by Parsons. Lorin Bradley, 50, of Bushkill Township, is president of the Nazareth Area School Board; and Matthew Dietz, 37, of Wind Gap, is a private pilot who ran an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Congress seat held by Democrat Matt Cartwright.

More here:
Northampton County Council power broker Lamont McClure won't run again