Lehigh County

Coroner Buglio announces election bid Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio has announced his candidacy for re-election as coroner. His current term ends in January 2024. Buglio, who has served in the coroner’s office for almost 24 years, says he wants to continue his service to county residents, showing care, compassion and experience to the people and families he serves. Having served as a police officer, he worked part time with the Slatington and Coplay police departments.

Buglio began in the coroner’s office as a deputy coroner, was promoted to first deputy/operations manager in April 2019 and accepted the appointment of coroner in April 2022.

According to Buglio, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center was the first office in the commonwealth to be nationally accredited by the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, noting only five other agencies out of 67 in the commonwealth are accredited.

The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center is a 24/7 operation that investigates approximately 9,000 deaths annually, a number that continues to increase.

“I see the coroner’s office as an apolitical office,” Buglio said. “I can’t promise to lower your taxes, make your community safer or your health care better, but I can give you care, compassion and experience. In a coroner career, that is what matters.”

Buglio, member of the Lehigh County Suicide Prevention Coalition Task Force and Substance Use Task Force, co-chairs the Lehigh County Child Death Review Team.

He resides in South Whitehall Township with his husband, Eric, a registered nurse.

Hanna seeks re-election for sheriff

Sheriff Joseph N. Hanna has announced his candidacy for re-election for Sheriff of Lehigh County.

Hanna, now in his 44th consecutive year in law enforcement, expresses his passion to continue serving the residents of Lehigh County.

He had a distinguished 34-year career with the Allentown Police Department, rising to the rank of chief of police, and then transitioned to the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office as a county detective prior to running for sheriff. Hanna has brought many professional accomplishments to the Sheriff’s Office since being elected sheriff in 2015.

Hanna is most proud of the Sheriff’s Office attaining Pennsylvania State Accreditation on April 8, 2021, following a long arduous process that began in the year 2017.

Hanna and personnel throughout the Sheriff’s Office are active throughout Lehigh County offering outreach programs and events to neighborhood and crime watch groups, schools and churches, and Sheriff’s personnel are routinely present at other public and social events.

Sheriff Hanna extends his appreciation and gratefulness for the ongoing support of the county residents, Lehigh County administration, and his staff.

Sheriff Hanna affirms that “there is more work to be done” and he is enthusiastic about continuing that work with the residents and county government in continuing the mission, vision and core values of the Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office.

Martin not seeking re-election

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin has announced he will not be a candidate for re-election in the municipal election this year.

“It is my intent, God willing, to serve the remainder of my term in office, which will end the first Monday of January 2024,” Martin said in a Jan. 17 news release.

Jan. 26 marks the 25th anniversary of Martin becoming district attorney.

Martin said he is proud of the record achieved in the district attorney’s office over the last 25 years. He praised the dedication, professionalism and efforts of the many assistant district attorneys and dedicated members of the administrative staff.

Martin said he was grateful to his secretary of 28 years, Merrily Starkey, who also served as head of the administrative staff over the last 15 years.

Martin also thanked the many elected officials in Lehigh County, as well as the employees of the county, supporters, friends and citizens for their trust.

Northampton Count

Baratta seeks nomination for Northampton County DA

Stephen Baratta, a lifelong resident of Northampton County, with more than four decades of service to the community, seeks the Democratic nomination to serve as Northampton County District Attorney.

The Democratic primary will be May 16.

A 1974 graduate of Bangor Area High School and a 1978 graduate of Lafayette College in Easton, Baratta attended Fordham University School of Law, completing his legal studies in 1981. He was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania in 1981, when he began his private practice in Easton.

In his early years as an attorney, Baratta served the citizens of Northampton County in representing individuals in all types of civil, criminal and domestic relations matters.

In 1985, Baratta was appointed solicitor of the Northampton County Children and Youth and served as the solicitor of the Northampton County Department of Human Services in 1990. He said these roles allowed him to protect the most vulnerable and valuable members of the community.

In 1992, Baratta was appointed to be the first assistant district attorney for Northampton County. While there, Baratta said he was dedicated to pursuing equal, fair and effective justice with passion, perseverance and dedication to our community.

Baratta remained as Northampton County’s first assistant district attorney until he was installed as judge for the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas in 1997.

In his 25 years of service as judge, Baratta presided over civil and criminal trials. He said he earned a reputation for being tough but fair, always ensuring justice was equally administered and finding new, innovative solutions to improve Northampton County’s judicial system. He said he also worked to promote diversity, equality and inclusion within the courts.

To learn more, visit BarattaForDA.com.