Nathan “Nate” Brown resigned last Monday from his office as a Republican Lehigh County Commissioner. It was his first term.

He notified the Board of Commissioners in an email on Monday afternoon, Oct. 19.

Brown’s resignation is effective Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. The next regular board meeting is Oct. 28.

Brown, in an interview with the Press, said he has been promoted in his job and consequently has much more responsibility and would not have enough time to properly serve the people of District 5.

District 5 includes Emmaus (his residence), Macungie, Salisbury, Upper Milford Township, Lower Milford Township, Upper Saucon and Coopersburg.

He said he has been promoted in the fire suppression company where he works and that his new duties, which require extensive travel in the Mid-Atlantic states will increase to the point where he didn’t feel he could give the people who elected him the proper attention.

Brown said his succession is governed by the Home Rule Charter, which is the controlling charter for Lehigh County.

Under this rule, resident Republicans from District 5 would be expected to put themselves forward as candidates.

The charter requires that Brown’s replacement be a Republican. The candidates will then be interviewed by the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners, which would make a selection decision within 45 days after the interview process is completed.

If no decision is made by the commissioners, the matter would go to a judge who would make an appointment to the commissioner post.