Tara Zrinski
Northampton County Executive
Northampton County
Tara Zrinski is a Democratic politician from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who made history in January 2026 as the first woman to serve as Northampton County Executive, winning the November 2025 election by a 19 percentage-point margin. Before assuming the county's top executive role, she served nearly six years on the Northampton County Council beginning in 2017 and was elected Northampton County Controller in 2023. Her diverse background includes work as a teacher, adjunct philosophy professor at Northampton Community College and other area colleges, solar energy consultant, and director of lifespan faith development at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley. She graduated from Drew University with a degree in philosophy and English and later studied at Moravian Theological Seminary.
Timeline
County Executive Tara Zrinski participated in a roundtable discussion with stakeholders from behavioral health, criminal justice, policy, and community organizations, aimed at identifying challenges and developing initiatives for the intersections of behavioral health and the criminal justice system.
County Executive Tara Zrinski issued a public letter asking developers and property owners to refuse to sell or lease property for federal immigration detention facilities, stating that economic development should strengthen lives rather than enable detention centers that undermine the county's commitment to human rights and social justice.
County Executive Tara Zrinski publicly announced a plan to address serious safety violations at the county-run Gracedale Nursing Home, which received a six-month provisional license and a downgraded Medicare rating due to multiple safety reports.
County Executive Tara Zrinski introduced her Cabinet at a press conference at the government center's rotunda, unveiling a leadership team representing dedication and expertise tasked with guiding the county toward a future that works for all residents.
County Executive Tara Zrinski convened an executive summit bringing together community leaders, department directors, and residents to identify problems, map solutions, and launch quick wins for county government through subcommittee work.
Tara Zrinski was sworn in as Northampton County Executive by Judge Brian Panella at the county courthouse, becoming the first woman elected to this position in the county's 50-year history of executive-council government, replacing two-term Executive Lamont G. McClure.
Incoming Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski announced an eight-member transition committee to oversee her transition into leading county government, which will appoint key advisors and set policy priorities.
Tara Zrinski stated her administration would differ from Lamont McClure's, emphasizing her distinct focus and approach as an incoming county executive.
Tara Zrinski won the November election for Northampton County Executive with a 19 percentage-point victory, defeating Republican Tom Giovanni with nearly 60% of the vote in an election with unusually high turnout for a non-presidential year.
Tara Zrinski was elected Northampton County Executive on November 4, becoming the first woman to hold the position, defeating Republican Tom Giovanni with 59.03% of the vote after a campaign focused on economic equity, environmental sustainability, and government transparency.
County executive candidate Tara Zrinski issued a statement condemning social media comments made by Councilwoman Kelly Keegan, stating the remarks were in poor judgment and do not reflect Democratic Party or Northampton County values.
Northampton County Controller Tara Zrinski secured 13,491 votes (56.8%) in the May 20 Democratic primary for county executive, defeating Amy Cozze who received 10,216 votes. Her campaign spent over $200,000 on the successful primary bid.
Tara Zrinski was elected Northampton County Controller in 2023, following her reelection as county commissioner in 2021.
Tara Zrinski ran for the office of state senator in 2022, demonstrating her commitment to public service.
Tara Zrinski was reelected to her position as Northampton County Commissioner in 2021.
Tara Zrinski was elected to the Northampton County Council, marking an early step in her political career within the county.
Local author and philosophy professor Tara Zrinski returned to her childhood alma mater, Freemansburg Elementary School, to share her book 'All Ducks Are Birds (But, Not all Birds are Ducks)' with third grade classes, conducting a logic exercise and allowing children to color illustrations.
Facts
Northampton County
- • Drew University (philosophy and English)
- • Moravian Theological Seminary (theological studies)
- • Moravian Theological Seminary (pastoral counseling)
2025
Northampton County Executive
Democrat
Lamont McClure
- • Northampton County Controller
- • Northampton County Council member
- • Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Northampton Community College
- • Solar Energy Consultant
- • Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Lehigh Carbon Community College
Bethlehem
2026-01-05
Connections
Jeremy Clark is a Democratic candidate running for County Court Judge in Northampton County.
Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel wrote a similar letter last week.
Zrinski succeeded Lamont McClure as Northampton County Executive.
Tom Giovanni is a Republican candidate also running for Northampton County Executive.
Rep. Steve Samuelson, who represents Bethlehem in the state legislature, praised Zrinski's grassroots campaign and predicted her success as county executive.
Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski appointed Ken Brown as Director of Court Services.
from 3 sourcesOutgoing Executive Lamont G. McClure is a proud and supportive predecessor to Tara Zrinski, his successor, celebrating her victory and pledging a smooth transition.
from 3 sourcesTara Zrinski defeated her Republican opponent, Tom Giovanni, in the election for Northampton County Executive.
from 10 sourcesLamont McClure, the outgoing Democratic County Executive, endorsed and was thanked by Tara Zrinski, who is running to succeed him.
from 5 sourcesTara Zrinski is a Democrat who achieved a landmark victory in the Northampton County executive races last year, which Pinsley cited as proof that the 16th District can be flipped.