Kristin Lorah Soldridge has announced she is running for Northampton County Council for one of the at-large seats.

A lifelong Northampton County resident, she was raised on the Lorah family farm in Lehigh Township. Being from a farm family, she said she has learned the importance of heritage, hard work and blue-collar values.

The Lorah farm has been a staple of the community in Lehigh Township since 1910, she said, when her great-grandfather, Frank Lorah, laid down his roots.

Soldridge has never run for any public office or been involved in any politics. The recent excitement of the presidential campaign inspired her to run for office to bring a young, fresh perspective to county government, she said.

According to Soldridge, a Republican, having a member on council from the most western part of the county is vital to a more balanced approach to government. She is primarily concerned about balanced government due to the currently lopsided one-party control of every facet of government in Northampton County, she said.

She added she wants to promote more open, plain-talk conversation between elected officials and citizens.

Her “Kristin for a balanced government” campaign will focus on government transparency, more citizen involvement in government, fighting government waste and overreach, transparency in government and protecting taxpayers, Soldridge said.

Along with balanced government, she is focused on preserving farmland in the county. Growing up on the Lorah farm, she said she has seen the trials and tribulations her family has faced in dealing with excessive local government restrictions.

Soldridge is a lifelong resident of Lehigh Township. She is married to Curt Soldridge and has two children. She attends Bethany Wesleyan Church in Cherryville. She previously served on the Lehigh Township Zoning Board and has been a soccer coach in the community.