Lehigh County Commissioner Ron W. Beitler, who was reelected to a second term last November, said Monday he switched his voter registration from Republican to independent.

The decision reflects a frustration with partisan politics. It was not, he said, influenced by a reaction to any particular issue.

“Party politics have become a barrier to people talking to each other civilly as fellow humans. I’ve chosen to remove the barrier,” he said in a press release.

“The U.S. Constitution is the only thing elected officials swear an oath to. Not party. Not ideology. And certainly not to personality. We work for the people we represent. Too often in the two-party system career politicians serve party apparatuses and personal ambition first.”

The change, made Friday at the county elections office, reflects a commitment to making decisions based on independent analysis and a desire to serve the entire community rather than taking a partisan approach, a guiding principle of his public service career, he said.

Before being elected to his first term as county commissioner in 2021, Beitler, 47, served eight years as a Lower Macungie Township commissioner. As county commissioner, he represents District 2, which comprises Alburtis and Macungie and the townships of Lower Macungie, Upper Macungie, Lower Milford and Upper Milford.

Beitler’s switch to an independent leaves one Republican, Antonio Pineda, on the nine-member board. Seven commissioners are Democrats.

Beitler referenced a growing trend among voters eschewing the two main political parties and identifying as an independent. Gallup released a poll last month that showed 45% of voters in 2025 considered themselves independents compared to 43% the two previous years.

Related: Young voter clubs launched in Lehigh Valley as support for political parties drop

As a county commissioner, Beitler said he will continue focusing on the government’s services to residents.

“If we get pulled too far into partisan politics, we risk neglecting the nuts and bolts of county government, things our most vulnerable residents depend on,” he said.

During his 12 years with Lower Macungie and the county, “I’ve worked with colleagues across party lines, working with anyone who shares an interest in objective problem solving and getting things done. That won’t change.”