Northampton County Republicans Would Love to See Barron Primaried

An old Lehigh Valley Ramblings Photo

I get that Northampton County Republicans are used to running circles around the County's Democrats, but perhaps this one is from the "funnies" bin. Apparently a Northampton County Council Republican, a guy who just voted for the Brown tax increase, suggested to a Democratic member at a recent meeting that the Democrats would be "smart to primary Barron so they at least have a shot this November." Barron would be the County Controller, Steve Barron, and apparently Republicans are pretty confident they can beat him. Of course, they were in 2011 too.

For all of Barron's issues with council and the Executive from time to time over the past seven years, he's got a pretty decent record on the whole. He's uncovered a lot of fraud. He just nailed the Executive and his staff for over-charging the county on their reimbursements. He fought on the right side of the Gracedale fight. He's fought this Executive's wasteful "government by consultant" too. I'm not saying he'd be impossible to beat in a primary, but he'd be difficult.

And regardless of who Democrats do put up, why would the Republicans have confidence? Barron has twice beaten then, and they will be asking the electorate to give them a "rubber stamp" Controller to compliment an out-of-control Executive. Ron Angle may run, which will make the race a total dumpster-fire in the primary, as Angle will not pull punches. The other names that come up- Council people Geissinger, Benol, and Vaughn (one of which was the source of the quote above)- would be running with a bad record on council, including this latest tax increase. If they try to "draft" someone else, frankly they'd have to be someone with both great financial qualifications, and willing to take the salary, which coming from the private-sector would be a cut. In short, they probably don't have many strong options, unless a state legislator or something is going to try.

So crow all you would like Republicans. Most of your material is old, and your candidates are weak. Go ahead and tell us how strong you are. Let's see it backed up.