2009 Lehigh County Executive election

2009 Lehigh County Executive election
	November 3, 2009
County Executive before election; Don Cunningham; Democratic	Elected County Executive ; Don Cunningham; Democratic

The 2009 Lehigh County Executive election was held on November 3, 2009. Incumbent Democratic County Executive Don Cunningham ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged by Republican nominee Scott Ott, a satirical website publisher. Despite Cunningham's fundraising advantage and stronger name recognition, he was expected to win by a wide margin, but only narrowly defeated Ott,^[1] winning 51–49 percent, a margin of just 862 votes.

Prior to the completion of Cunningham's second term, he resigned from office in 2012 to become the head of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. Former County Commissioner Bill Hansell was appointed to serve out the remainder of Cunningham's term.^[2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Don Cunningham, incumbent County Executive^[3]

Results

Democratic primary results^[4]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Don Cunningham	9,688	100.00%
Total votes			9,688	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Scott Ott, satirical website publisher^[5]

Results

Republican primary results^[4]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Scott Ott	8,363	100.00%
Total votes			8,363	100.00%

General election

Results

2009 Lehigh County Executive election^[6]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Don Cunningham (inc.)	21,063	51.04%
	Republican	Scott Ott	20,201	48.96%
Total votes			41,264	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

^ Callaway, Brian (November 4, 2009). "Cunningham narrowly wins second term". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. News 1. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
^ Marcus, Samantha (August 9, 2012). "Hansell chosen county executive". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. A4. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
^ Isherwood, Darryl (February 18, 2009). "Cunningham announces re-election bid". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. B1. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
^ ^a ^b "MUNICIPAL PRIMARY - MAY 19, 2009". Lehigh County Office of Voter Registration. 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
^ Renshaw, Jarrett; Isherwood, Darryl (March 11, 2009). "Contests will enliven primary day in Lehigh". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. A3. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
^ "MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 2009". Lehigh County Office of Voter Registration. 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2025.

[1] Callaway, Brian (November 4, 2009). "Cunningham narrowly wins second term". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. News 1. Retrieved July 10, 2025.

[2] Marcus, Samantha (August 9, 2012). "Hansell chosen county executive". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. A4. Retrieved July 10, 2025.

[3] Isherwood, Darryl (February 18, 2009). "Cunningham announces re-election bid". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. B1. Retrieved July 10, 2025.

[primary_results-4] "MUNICIPAL PRIMARY - MAY 19, 2009". Lehigh County Office of Voter Registration. 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2025.

[5] Renshaw, Jarrett; Isherwood, Darryl (March 11, 2009). "Contests will enliven primary day in Lehigh". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. A3. Retrieved July 10, 2025.

[6] "MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 2009". Lehigh County Office of Voter Registration. 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2025.

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