Politics & Government

Palmer, Forks get new Congressman

New redistricting map moves Palmer, Forks and Easton out of the 15th Congressional district after 40 years.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has approved legislation that moves and and other Northampton County communities out of the 15th Congressional district.

The Morning Call reports that the House passed the new map Tuesday, moving Palmer and Forks from the 15th district, held by Republican , into the 17th district, represented by Democrat Tim Holden.

Holden is from St. Clair, Schuylkill County, and the 17th district is currently made up of Schuylkill, Dauphin and Lebanon counties and parts of Perry and Berks counties.

Find out what's happening in Palmer-Forkswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Senate approved the new districts last week.

The we took found that 76% of you were against one of the plans, which splits the Lehigh Valley into separate Congressional districts for the first time in 40 years. 

Find out what's happening in Palmer-Forkswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition to Palmer and Forks, the Express-Times reports Easton, Bethlehem, Upper and Lower Mount Bethel and Washington Township would be moved into the 17th district, as well as the boroughs of Wilson, West Easton, Glendon, Nazareth, Stockertown, Tatamy, Bangor, East Bangor, Freemansburg, Pen Argyl, Portland, and Roseto.

Parts of the city of Bethlehem, as well as Plainfield and Upper Nazareth townships, would also join the 17th district.


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