Pennsylvania
Voters in pivotal Pennsylvania county weigh in on Trump, Harris and the issues: ‘This area really counts’
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Since the sinking of the Titanic more than 100 years ago, one Pennsylvania county has voted for the ultimate winner of a US presidential election all but three times.
The political pulse of Northampton County has predicted 25 of the last 28 elections — dating back to Woodrow Wilson’s victory in 1912, when he bested Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.
Northampton’s only misses were Richard Nixon in 1968 and George W. Bush in both 2000 and 2004.
Located on the Keystone State’s eastern edge and approximately equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, Northampton County and neighboring Lehigh County make up the Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania’s third-largest metropolitan area. “The Valley” is home to three cities on the post-industrial upswing — Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton — and dotted with rural and suburban municipalities.
Speaking to The Post just two months ahead of the showdown between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, voters from The Valley spilled their thoughts on the race they’re county will once again help decide this November.
Denise Marshall, 72, Nazareth
A lifetime Northampton County resident who spent 35 years teaching middle school, Denise has lived in her home in Nazareth Borough (pop. 6,000) for the last 13 years. She now works part-time for Weight Watchers and enjoys spending time with her grandson.
Denise says she’s been a Republican since first registering to vote and describes herself as a strong conservative, her views based on the need to enact what she calls “slow, logical change” and support for a strong national defense.
“Republicans are pro making sure others know we’re a strong nation, that we have power, and we’re not afraid to use that power when needed,” she told The Post, noting that foreign leaders were “skeptical” of challenging America during Trump’s term.
Denise believes Trump’s handling of economic issues and ability to follow through on promises are his greatest strengths, while speaking carelessly and sounding “cringey” at times is a potential drawback.
“I think [Trump] needs to be a little more careful, to concentrate more on what he and his administration can do to help Americans, rather than what the opposition will do to hurt us,” Denise said.
While she does not find Harris to be trustworthy, Denise is impressed with her campaign ads and believes that the veep being nearly two decades younger than Trump could be an ace in the hole.
“Age definitely works in her favor in terms of the next four years,” she told The Post. “I think she’s appealing to younger voters, women voters for sure.”
George Ziegler, 60, Bethlehem
Also an educator, George has spent 25 years in the public school system, including time as a high school English teacher. The father of two adult sons, he now works as a literacy coach.
As a self-described strong liberal who has voted consistently for Democrats, George says he’s most focused on gun safety and public school funding — issues he says Harris will better address than Trump.
“Kamala Harris has consistently supported increased investment in public education, advocating for higher teacher pay and better resources for schools,” George told The Post.
“On gun safety, she has pushed for stronger gun control measures, including universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons, which I believe are critical steps to reducing gun violence in schools and communities,” he added.
George believes the Trump administration’s education policies unjustly favored private schools, and that he did not act meaningfully on the gun issue.
“[Trump’s] administration… showed little urgency in addressing gun violence, focusing more on arming teachers than on implementing common-sense gun safety laws that could prevent tragedies,” he said.
As a Northampton County voter, George says he feels a “strong responsibility” because of the “significant weight” his ballot will carry nationally.
“There’s a sense of added importance knowing that my vote could help determine the outcome in a state that often swings the entire election,” George concluded.
Eric Zwick, 72, Lower Macungie Township
Eric is a real estate investor who has lived in Pennsylvania for 28 years since moving from New Jersey. He’s consistently voted for Democrats up through the Bill Clinton era, but told The Post that since the turn of the century, he’s become dissatisfied with the Democrats. Unhappy with what he calls “the party of the welfare state,” Eric has since become a Republican.
“Kamala’s position is [to] bring in more people, or get the people on welfare to support the Democratic Party,” Eric said of Harris’ record on illegal immigration.
Eric says the record inflation seen during the Biden-Harris years has forced him to increase the cost of living for his tenants.
“I feel guilty when I raise their rents [by] $50 a month,” he told The Post. “I’m looking for a more stable economic policy, and I think we had that with Trump.”
Though he describes himself as conservative, Eric believes some Republicans “are just way over the top” on issues like abortion.
“The states that have Republicans become ‘no abortion at all costs,’” Eric said of the post-Roe GOP. “No abortions for rape, no abortions for incest, and I totally disagree with that.”
While he will be voting in blue-leaning Lehigh County, Eric still feels the pressure to get his vote right.
“I feel that, now more than ever, every single vote in this area really counts,” he said.
Sheri Curtin, 59, Bethlehem
A clinical research consultant in the pharmaceutical industry, Sheri says her moderate views on the issues “wouldn’t make either party happy.”
Sheri told The Post she’s concerned about ongoing problems with drugs and crime, as well as women’s reproductive rights.
“You don’t give these drug addicts clean works and say ‘have at it,’ you get them into rehab programs,” Sheri said of Democrats’ “safe haven” approach to drug issues. “And if you have to do that through prison systems, then do it.”
Sheri also criticized Harris’ time as a liberal California prosecutor, telling The Post that “Kamala’s prosecution record doesn’t give me a lot of warm and fuzzy that she’s gonna be hard on these criminals that are destroying our society.”
But like the other voters, Sheri strongly rebuked the Republicans’ stance on abortion, calling Trump’s decision to appoint Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade “a gigantic bonehead move.”
“Coming from a medical background… a woman’s right to protect her life or spare an unjust and miserable existence for a child that will probably not survive is not fair,” Sheri said.
“You are forcing a condition on people, and it may not be one that they can comfortably live with,” she added.
Asked about the influence she’ll have as a Northampton County voter, Sheri answered simply: “If you don’t vote, don’t bitch!”
M.T., 23, Bethlehem
An electrical engineer by trade, M.T. spoke with The Post anonymously because he is a government employee with a security clearance. For him, this election will come down to the economy, immigration and abortion. His Catholic faith and desire to have several children are a significant factor in shaping how he views these issues, and his ultimate decision at the ballot box this November.
“The cost of living is just too high for recent college graduates to get started and build and save for things like starting a family and having children,” M.T. told The Post, noting that many grads like himself are burdened with student debt. “We as a country need children and it should be something that [is] promoted more.”
M.T. objects to Harris’ strong pro-choice stance, calling her YouTube ads on the subject “morally disturbing.”
“I think that you can’t kill innocent unborn children simply because you don’t know what their potential is,” he said. “They could be the next Albert Einstein or Tom Brady and have the potential to impact so many other people’s lives in a positive manner.”
However, M.T. is no fan of Trump because of his role in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Though he voted for Trump in 2020, he has vowed not to support him this year.
“If Trump were to lose this election, I don’t feel confident that the radical MAGA Republicans would accept Harris’ win, and they could escalate political polarization further to potentially dangerous levels,” he added.
Third party voters’ numbers have shrunk this cycle since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign last month, but M.T. remains among them.
“If Nikki Haley was on the ticket, that would be the easiest decision I’d ever make on the voting ballot,” M.T. told The Post, adding that he is strongly considering “throwing away” his vote to write her in. “But unfortunately, she is not.”
Asked if anything would make him consider voting for the Democrats, M.T. said he’d need to see Harris replaced at the top of the ticket with a more moderate candidate like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Monday, June 9, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 9 drawing
30-33-40-43-52, Powerball: 25, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 2 numbers from June 9 drawing
Day: 7-7, Wild: 8
Evening: 4-9, Wild: 5
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 9 drawing
Day: 1-4-6, Wild: 8
Evening: 2-7-5, Wild: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 9 drawing
Day: 0-5-1-1, Wild: 8
Evening: 3-9-5-4, Wild: 5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from June 9 drawing
Day: 0-4-5-7-1, Wild: 8
Evening: 1-8-4-4-0, Wild: 5
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from June 9 drawing
06-08-28-57-60, Cash Ball: 03
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from June 9 drawing
04-07-17-27-36
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from June 9 drawing
11-13-22-25-29
Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from June 9 drawing
10-19-22-33-43-47
Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 9 drawing
01-07-24-50-59, Powerball: 11
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
- Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
- Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
- Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.
When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
- Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
- Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
- Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
- Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys and Pennie Executive Director Devon Trolley this week discussed the importance of Medicaid in providing health care coverage to millions of Pennsylvanians amid proposed federal cuts to the program — which would kick more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians off their health insurance.
More than three million Pennsylvanians – or 1 in 4 people – get their health care coverage through Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania. With this coverage, Pennsylvanians can see a doctor, fill prescriptions and access preventive services like health screenings. This coverage is vital to helping people stay healthy, take care of their families and contribute to our economy.
“All of us know someone — whether its ourselves, a friend, loved one, or a neighbor — who Medicaid has helped,” Arkoosh said. “But no matter how you personally get your health care coverage, Medicaid is vital to protecting the health of your community. Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid would be devastating not only for those who would lose their health coverage, but for all of us who would face the real life consequences of crowded emergency departments, increases in the cost of health insurance, and the catastrophic effects on economies and health systems in rural areas.”
More than 300,000 Pennsylvanians will lose access to Medicaid due to:
• New eligibility requirements.
• Increased bureaucratic paperwork because of proposed six-month re-determinations, whether eligibility is determined every six months instead of every year.
• New work reporting requirements, which will require more staff and new IT infrastructure.
The bill also proposes other federal cuts that will further destabilize our health care infrastructure and threaten the closure of hospitals, especially in our rural communities. Half of Pennsylvania’s 65 hospitals serving rural communities operate at a deficit, struggling to survive, and relying significantly on Medicaid to cover the cost of providing care.
“The Congressional Republicans’ bill would have devastating consequences for Pennsylvanians. From unaffordable health care costs to a higher number of uninsured individuals seeking uncompensated care through our hospital systems, this bill should concern every one of us.” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys.
As of today, Congressional Republicans’ bill needs to pass the U.S. Senate and be signed into law. There are no changes to Medicaid.
Lawrence confirmed as Pa.’s Consumer Advocate
Attorney General Dave Sunday this week announced that the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination of Darryl Lawrence to serve as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate.
Lawrence has been serving as interim Consumer Advocate since Feb. 4, where he has been representing Commonwealth consumers in public utility service quality and pricing matters. Lawrence has been with the Office of Consumer Advocate since June 2005 and previously held the position of Senior Assistant Consumer Advocate for the office.
“I am pleased that the Senate has confirmed my appointment of Darryl Lawrence as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate, and am confident that Darryl will serve Pennsylvanians well in that capacity,” Sunday said. “Darryl dedicated his career to advocating on behalf of Pennsylvanians who may not have a voice in the regulatory, judicial, and legislative processes attached to public utilities. He has proven himself as an experienced, tough, fair, and honest advocate.”
The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate was established by the General Assembly in 1976 to serve as the legal representative for all utility ratepayers in the Commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate is housed in the Office of Attorney General, but functions independently. The Office of Consumer Advocate has discretion and authority to intervene in litigation on its own behalf, and has actively participated in matters before the Pennsylvania Utility Commission and in state and federal courts.
Public utilities include electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and telecom companies under either Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission jurisdiction.
PUC Chairman confirmed for second term
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission this week thanked the State Senate for unanimously confirming the reappointment of Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank to a second term as Commissioner and expressed appreciation to Governor Josh Shapiro for submitting the nomination.
Chairman DeFrank was confirmed on June 4, by the Senate and will continue serving as chairman of the commission. His new term extends through April 1, 2030.
“I’m honored by the confidence shown by Governor Shapiro and the Senate,” DeFrank said. “At a time of fast-moving change across our energy and utility systems — from rising demand and extreme weather to cyber-security and infrastructure modernization — the Commission’s mission remains clear: ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable service for every Pennsylvanian.”
DeFrank was sworn in immediately following his confirmation.
NIL legislation to protect student athletes to be introduced
Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper, R-Bedford/Fulton, and Rep. Perry Stambaugh, R-Perry/Juniata, this week announced they will soon introduce legislation to provide protections for student-athletes receiving compensation for the use their name, image and likeness (NIL).
While a case wending through federal courts will likely expand the NIL universe, no state legal structure exists. This leaves compensated student-athletes vulnerable to poor financial decisions and without recourse if they should become injured during their career.
“NIL is one of the most dynamic and evolving spaces in the national sports market that has become a life-changing positive for many student-athletes and families,” Topper said. “As the NIL landscape continues to advance at the federal level, it is appropriate for state legal supplements to ensure student-athletes are protected at a vulnerable time in their lives.”
“Our legislation will ensure that students have the financial education and protection available to safeguard their NIL assets while giving them the opportunity to save NIL earnings should they become injured or otherwise incapable of pursuing their athletic career.”
According to the recently filed co-sponsorship memo in advance of the introduction of formal legislation, the Topper-Stambaugh NIL proposal would require institutions of higher education to offer all student-athletes the option to place a portion of their revenue sharing or NIL earnings into trust accounts. The institutions may partner with established financial firms experienced in educational trust management to minimize administrative overhead. The accounts would have the following features:
• Funds become fully accessible upon graduation or departure from the university.
• Limited hardship withdrawals permitted with appropriate oversight.
• Professional investment management with transparent reporting.
• Opt-in structure that preserves athlete autonomy while encouraging responsible financial planning.
In addition, colleges and universities would be mandated to provide financial literacy education and resources to their student-athletes.
“In the new ‘Wild, Wild West’ of collegiate athletics that NIL has spawned, helping protect student-athletes from financial harm or exploitation is a solid first step states should take,” Stambaugh said. “As the landscape surrounding NIL evolves, Pennsylvania will be studying changes and enacting policies to ensure our colleges and universities can remain competitive.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Sunday, June 8, 2025 1:28PM
Woman critical after being struck by vehicle in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — A woman is in critical condition after being hit by a car in the Lehigh Valley.
Police say the driver of a Silver Chevy Impala hit the woman as she was walking on the highway near 4th and Emery streets in Bethlehem.
She was taken to St. Luke’s University Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Chevy remained on the scene.
The incident is under investigation.
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