Tom Muller, a Democrat, is running for Lehigh County executive because he says he believes in this community.

"I believe in our businesses," Muller said. "I believe in our law enforcement community.

"I believe that it is the place of government to keep our communities safe and to create the kind of environment in which businesses and families can thrive."

"I am not particularly concerned with partisan labels," Muller says. "I'm concerned with results."

He has worn many hats in my lifetime.

Muller has worked in both the private and public sectors.

He has been a union member and chief negotiator for management teams negotiating fair contracts with unions.

"I have been a Republican and I have worked in a Democratic administration for seven years," Muller said. "But I will always bear in mind that this is the people's government."

"My time in the private and public sectors has taught me that total quality of life is most critical," Muller said. "I also believe that it's important to balance quality of life, public safety and the delivery of services with a "right-sized" government operation focused on efficiency and effectiveness."

Muller says government exists to serve its residents and he believes that it's important to spend taxpayers' money wisely.

"I don't believe that we should simply gut government and slash spending just because some politician or team of politicians made an uninformed but convincing campaign promise," Muller said. "There is always room for improvement in any operation and Lehigh County government is no exception, but I believe that government has a job to do, and we must fund it appropriately in order for it to perform those functions."

Muller says he plans to proactively seek input from Lehigh County's taxpayers.

The need to end this "cliffsmanship" and the focus on political philosophy is what has encouraged him to run for County Executive, Muller says.

"I have 40 years of experience in the private sector, including very senior positions in large companies, including president and Chief Operating Officer for Binney & Smith, now Crayola," Muller said.

"I've also owned small businesses, served on numerous boards and for the past seven years I've been director of administration for this county, during which time the county's bond rating has been raised twice, the infrastructure has been significantly upgraded and we have moved to the top of the class in public safety. "

"I also teach at Cedar Crest College, chair the Easton Hospital Board that I've been on for over 20 years and serve as vice chairman of the Board of Directors for the Lehigh County," Muller said.

He also serves on the Boards of the Lehigh County Authority and Mercy Special Learning Center.

"My bottom line is simple," Muller says. "I want to work for the citizens of Lehigh County on Lehigh County issues and needs and without "Washington cliffsmanship" and political philosophy."

Muller says his successful record of turning around troubled or sluggish business units and brands, launching new products and working with start-up companies has earned him the recognition of the national and international business community.

He says he believes he has the qualifications needed to do that job for you and hope you'll agree with him at the voting booth.

Muller was born into a working-class family in Belleville, N.J. and moved to Morristown, N.J., when he was entering middle school. He worked his way through college, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in business and journalism from Syracuse University.

He later received an M.B.A (cum laude) from Farleigh Dickinson's evening program, spending long hours working during the day and studying at night.

Muller resides in Lower Macungie with his wife, MJ and their two children, Joy, a sixth grader and JT, a freshman at Wake Forest University, North Carolina.