Edward Earley Announces Write-In Campaign for Supervisor Seat

Incumbent Upper Macungie Supervisor chairman Edward Earley, who was defeated in May's Republican primary by Jim Brunell, announced Monday night that he will seek re-election via a write-in campaign.

Brunell is scheduled to meet Democratic challenger Chris Casey in the Nov. 5 general election. Earley's write-in announcement makes the election for the six-year Upper Macungie Township supervisor seat a three-way race.

"If you investigate the credentials of the Republican and Democratic candidates, you will discover that neither has demonstrated or evidenced knowledge of township governance, accomplishments in the community, community service or continuing education related to the various aspects of effectively conducting the day-to-day business of Upper Macungie Township," Earley said in a release.

Earley's release stated that while he applauds residents who are willing to step up to the plate in an election, he "(does) not believe that the present candidates on the ballot would provide a 'change' which would benefit the township."

"If I did, I would certainly not pursue a 'write-in' campaign, which is an uphill battle, which requires more than just touching a name on a ballot," Earley's release said.

Earley was first appointed as an Upper Macungie Township Supervisor in 2002 to fill a vacancy. He was elected to a four-year term in 2004, and in 2008, he was re-elected to a six-year term.

Earley said he has never solicited money from anyone to finance an election and everyone who is assisting him is a volunteer.

"I sincerely believe that a candidate should run on their merits, period," Earley said. 

Brunell defeated Earley in May by a 427-296 count in a township with more than 20,000 residents and 11,090 registered voters.