This coming November, Lehigh County voters will need to choose between Lehigh County Commissioner Scott Ott, a Republican, and acting County Executive Tom Muller, a Democrat, to serve a four-year term as county executive.

Ott garnered 56 percent of the Republican votes cast, with an unofficial tally of 6,861 on Tuesday, beating challenger Dean Browning's 5,455 votes, according to unofficial Lehigh County Voter Registration numbers.

Muller, received an unofficial 8,550 votes.

During the campaign, both Ott and Browning advocated for less taxes.

Browning said his efforts as commissioner helped reduce spending by $6.7 million and produced two straight budgets spending reductions.

Ott, promised to bring more "free market competition into the county's purchasing decisions and operations, boosting competitive bidding and making county departments compete for contracts."

"Lower taxes, less spending and a county government accountable for results go together as the most important issue," Ott stated. "Taxpayers are getting hammered by taxes at the local, state and federal level, in addition to hidden 'taxes' as a result of regulation and the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)."

Muller, who was named acting Lehigh County executive May 17 following the resignation of Bill Hansell, due to health issues, stated in his campaign he did not believe in "gutting government and slashing spending" because "some politician or team of politicians made an uninformed but convincing campaign promise."

"Good quality of life starts with a first-rate public safety and justice system, but it also extends to providing services to those in need and providing the kinds of recreational, entertainment and developmental opportunities that can only exist in a safe community," Muller stated. "I also believe it is important to balance quality of life, public safety and the delivery of services with a "right-sized" government operation focused on efficiency and effectiveness.