Does money buy elections? Stay tuned.

IESI, the corporation that controls the Bethlehem Landfill, wants zoning changes that will permit it to expand in Lower Saucon Township. That needs approval by township council, which has dragged its feet. So the landfill corporation has poured $125,200 into an effort to remove landfill opponents with a more compliant council.

It used “high-stakes public strategy” firm Mercury, LLC to oppose a bi-partisan anti-landfill slate consisting of Priscilla deLeon, Dave Willard and Donna Louder.

They were running for three seats on the board against Sandra Yerger, Tom Maxfield and Gary Gorman.

This strategy may have both failed and succeeded. The landfill’s most vocal opponent, Louder, was the top vote getter in last week’s election, with 1,244 votes. But Sandra Yerger, who has claimed that the loss of landfill income “would create a significant tax increase for township residents,” also won a seat, with 1,176 votes.

The third seat went to incumbent Pricilla deLeon with 1,157 votes, but this unofficial tally only gives her three votes more than pro-landfill incumbent Tom Maxfield. It could easily change.

“I’m hanging on by my fingernails,” deLeon said. “I should have waited for a manicure.”

Northampton County’s election office began what it calls its canvassing of the vote on Friday. This is the official count, and it starts with the cities. The process takes several days. As of press time, it is still unclear whether deLeon or Maxfield has won the third seat on Lower Saucon Township Council.

But as of Monday afternoon, deLeon had gained a vote as elections officials went through their own count.