Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong has endorsed fellow Democrat and county executive Lamont McClure in his race for Congress, broadening his support among Democrats in what is expected to be a competitive primary next year.
“Under Lamont McClure’s leadership, Northampton County has been a strong partner to Lehigh County. Together, we’ve tackled regional challenges with collaboration and common sense,” Armstrong said in a statement. “Lamont understands that progress doesn’t stop at county lines, and that’s the kind of leadership we need in Washington.”
Armstrong, who has served two terms as Lehigh County executive, is term limited and cannot run for a third term.
McClure, who first announced his intent to run for Congress in the 7th district in February, has highlighted his record as Northampton County executive, which includes opposing the sale of the county-owned Gracedale nursing home to a nonprofit, cutting county taxes by 8% in 2022 and reducing the size of the county government by 31% over the last seven years.
He has called himself an advocate for working and middle class Americans and criticized his Republican opponent Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, who will run for a second term in 2026.
McClure has also received endorsements from dozens of labor unions across the СŷƵ and other elected officials including Easton mayor Sal Panto and Bethlehem City Council President Michael Colon.
He will face a challenge in the Democratic primary from Carol Obando-Derstine, a former PPL executive who has the backing of former Congresswoman Susan Wild, who lost to Mackenzie in 2024.
