Democrat Joseph Marx Jr., receiving 2,615 votes, defeated Republican Tina Koren in the November 2023 mayoral election following a divisive campaign.

“I’m disappointed in the polarization of politics today,” Marx said. “It’s totally unnecessary.”

Marx said he feels he ran a clean, honest campaign. He was met with postcards and social media comments insinuating he personally removed Commissioner Andy Roman from office. Heated online debates with Koren were another staple throughout his campaign.

Marx was sworn in as mayor at the board of commissioners reorganization meeting Jan. 2.

Currently, Marx’s former seat on the board is vacant, but the position has been advertised and a new Democratic candidate will soon be appointed.

Marx has spent years serving the community and feels his ample experience will make him “the best mayor Whitehall has ever had.”

Marx, a U.S. Marines veteran, served on the board of commissioners for eight years, filling the roles of both president and vice president. Additionally, he served on Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority for 14 years and the township planning commission for four years.

He has also owned and operated a small business in the township for more than 20 years.

In an interview with The Press, Marx said he likes to tackle one thing at a time. The first two things on his list are Whitehall Fire Department and the former Lehigh Valley Dairy site.

He plans to sit down with township Solicitor Jack Gross and fire department leadership to address retaining and promoting volunteerism. Marx also thinks the department would benefit from a change in leadership.

He reported the fire department is getting older and harder to replace as recruitment is reportedly at an all-time low.

“These people put their lives on the line,” Marx noted. “It takes a really outstanding person to do that.”

The Lehigh Valley Dairy, 1026 MacArthur Road, closed in 1989 and has sat vacant since. It was purchased by the Elias family in 2019. The building is heavily blighted, or run down, with broken windows, a collapsed ceiling, asbestos and mold. Marx hopes to see it demolished and the land repurposed.

Marx’s campaign also offered insight on other potential plans for the township - improving the parks and recreation system, continuing to support the police department and promoting the growth of small businesses.