Northampton County Executive John Brown is running for re-election.
Brown, a Republican who ran an unsuccessful campaign for Pennsylvania auditor general in 2016, ended any speculation about his future in county government Thursday when he announced he would seek a second term.
“Serving as Northampton County executive is a tremendous honor,” he said in a prepared statement. “Working together we have overcome deep financial challenges and I am excited about the positive results accomplished over the past three years.
“While we have made great strides, I know our county can do even better. I will work to continue what we started by seeking to strengthen, bolster and reform our county’s services to ensure they are both more effective and cost efficient.”
Brown is a former Bangor mayor and graduate of Bangor Area High School and Notre Dame University.
The primary election is May 16. Four years ago, he defeated former Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, a Democrat, to win the county office.
He was the first Republican elected county executive since 1997.
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Brown said he has cut the county budget by $40 million and cut spending at Gracedale, the county nursing home.
Under his leadership, Brown said, Gracedale’s $6.7 million taxpayer-funded operating loss was erased and the facility in Upper Nazareth Township was returned to profitability while improving care.
It has had “zero deficiencies” over the past two years in Pennsylvania Department of Health surveys and earned a four-star rating for the first time, according to his statement.
He also touted the county’s plan to repair and replace 33 bridges over the next four years in a public-private partnership endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department off Transportation as one of the few of its kind.
Brown pledged to “protect taxpayers by aggressively eliminating waster, fraud and abuse in government.” the news release said, citing his “financial and business experience.”
He launched a bid for state office but was defeated last November in the general election by Democratic incumbent Eugene DePasquale.
Brown and wife Tina have a son, Zachary.
He is the first Republican to announce a bid for the county’s top elected office.
In January, former county councilman Lamont McClure, an attorney from Bethlehem Township, announced he would seek the Democratic nomination for county executive in the May primary.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
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