Northampton County Controller Tara Zrinski defeated Amy Cozze in the Democratic primary for county executive, according to unofficial results. Cozze conceded the race late Tuesday evening, shortly after Zrinski declared victory. Northampton County’s unofficial results showed Zrinski had 13,491 votes, while Cozze had 10,216, with all precincts fully reporting about 11:30 p.m. “This campaign was not easy. It was hard. It was often nasty. And there were days that tested every ounce of my strength.” Cozze said in an email announcing her concession. “But through it all, I remained grounded in why I ran: to fight for the people who make this county work, especially those who are too often overlooked or silenced.” Zrinski will face Thomas Giovanni, a County Council member who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination, in November. The winner will replace Democratic Executive Lamont G. McClure, who opted not to seek a third term McClure celebrated with double high-fives for Zrinski after she declared herself the winner. “Each and every one of you share this victory with me,” she said at her watch party. “And each and every one of you are going to follow me to our victory to November, right?” Zrinski, 49, of Bethlehem, served nearly six years on County Council before being elected controller in November 2023. During a question-and-answer session in the debate, Cozze questioned Zrinski for balking at completing an audit within three weeks looking over why $5 million in pandemic bonuses pledged in 2022 to some Gracedale employees was later rolled back to provide care to residents. Zrinski responded that it was not feasible to finish the audit in that timeframe. Zrinski asked how Cozze, who resigned in 2022 as county elections registrar over reports of mental stress, could stand the strain of leading the entire county. Cozze denied her departure was health related; she said county officials backed out of an agreement to give her a pay raise. Both candidates support keeping Gracedale nursing home under county control, and adding to open space preservation to prevent more large-scale warehouses or other major development. They also agree Northampton County must improve how it administers elections. The county has had high-profile problems with voting in 2019 and ’23, as well as long lines during last year’s presidential election, most notably at a south Bethlehem location. Cozze, 42, of Bethlehem, has been a small-business owner, Northampton County career service employee and senior staff member for former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa. She was chief election registrar for the county before resigning in 2022 to begin working on Casey’s staff. She also ran unsuccessfully in 2018 for a state legislative seat. While a member of Council, Zrinski twice ran unsuccessfully for state legislative offices. Cozze said she remained committed to serving the county despite the loss. “While this election didn’t end the way we hoped, I’m not done,” Cozze said. “My commitment to serving this community remains as strong as ever.” McClure decided against running for reelection. He has instead chosen to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie for the 7th Congressional District seat in 2026. Northampton County’s executive heads a government with a 2025 budget of $500 million and about 2,000 employees. The county provides a host of social services and has various responsibilities that include administering elections, managing the jail, providing certain emergency services and collecting property taxes.