Gavin Holihan was the last assistant district attorney to forever DA Jim Martin. When Martin retired in 2023, he recommended Galvin as his replacement. Martin was a Republican, and Holihan ran on the Republican ticket for the position.
This year state representative Josh Siegel announced his candidacy for County Executive, and Holihan endorsed him. Siegel is a rather progressive Democrat, and that endorsement caused the local Republican Party to censure Holihan. Holihan claimed that as a state rep., Siegel was aggressive in bringing extra funding to local police departments. Holihan making the endorsement before he knew who the Republican candidate will be, only further annoyed his party.
Now, I do remember Siegel as an activist years ago, marching in Allentown with the Defund The Police group. His DNA is too progressive for my vote come November, but I believe that Holihan, regardless of his party affiliation, is entitled to make an endorsement based on his knowledge of a candidate. Meanwhile, back at the local Republican Party, individual party members are demeaning Holihan as a betrayer, weak, and rat. Ironically, the Republican overreaction has given Siegel another talking point for his campaign. But worse for the Republicans, their censure of Holihan has generated more publicity for Siegel than he could have ever generated on his own.
photo above taken by Lee Ann Smith, concerning apartment building at the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery
Holihan, as county employee, would have been wise to stay of this affair. It is a conflict, especially when he doesn't even know who all the candidates will be.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he assumes Siegal is a sure thing in in this dem city and better kiss up to the inevitable.
Ray, The offices discussed here are county wide so the margin between D's and R's is much smaller than in Allentown. I believe the county gap has narrowed in recent years to a 4% D advantage. Gavin revealed himself as Trojan Horse candidate with this endorsement of Seigel. Although he tried to make the claim that his move was based on practical considerations, these were merely sucker lines thrown out for the ill informed. His support of a candidate who seeks to reduce his budget proves the insincerity of that excuse. Clearly he believes we're stupid, let's make sure to let him know, we aren't. The best way to do that for now is to defeat his fellow defunder Josh Seigel.
DeleteNot the first dessicration of the dying and dead county seat.
ReplyDeleteMike, you are very wrong on this. What we/the LCRC did was principled and necessary. Republican DA Gavin Holihan endorsed a far left, defund the police candidate for Lehigh County Exec. Any DA, Republican or Democrat who would endorse such a candidate deserves and needs to be censured by all who support the police and the rule of law. In addition, Josh Seigel wants to create parity between the budgets of the prosecutor's and the public defender's office. That would reduce funding for prosecutions, that is a George Soros type action that Gavin apparently also supports. Gavin was sold to us by former DA Jim Martin, Gavin told us he was going to pick up where Jim left off. He lied to us, he lied to Jim, and he lied to the voters. His actions are not just beyond defending; they are reprehensible and demanded a response. The voters will need to wait to settle the score with Gavin, but this November we can make sure the local George Soros exec candidate is soundly defeated at the polls.
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