Forward Party Affiliation:

Ron Beitler

The Pennsylvania Forward Party is proud to affiliate with Ron Beitler and welcome him as a Forward Independent! Ron embodies our ideals of pragmatic local solutions, non-partisan cooperation, and respectful politics.

Ron is a successful small business owner with a proven track record. Before becoming a two-time entrepreneur, Ron worked as an administrator in higher education. He was elected to the Lower Macungie Board of Commissioners in 2013 and served for 8 years (honoring a term limit pledge). He is currently a Lehigh County Commissioner, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, and Chair of the Lehigh County Farmland Preservation Board. 

Born and raised in Lower Macungie, Ron has built a life around family, service and the local community. Today he lives, with his daughter Cecilia and dog Ellie Mae, in a home just up the street from where he grew up. Ron holds a degree from Slippery Rock University of PA and is an Emmaus High School Graduate. His first business venture was based on Main Street in Macungie for 14 years and specialized in event services. Today, Ron owns Rising River Brewing Co., an award-winning craft brewery along the Little Lehigh River. 

The Office

Ron has been serving as the County Commissioner of Lehigh County since 2021. Originally elected as a Republican, Ron changed his registration to independent in February 2026, citing frustration with partisanship. “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. “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.”

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To be recognized as a State Party in Pennsylvania the law requires us to run a Statewide Candidate every other year. Win or lose these candidates must receive a minimum number of votes for us to earn recognition. The first step is getting on the ballot and we need your help to get there! Our goal is 5000. Collections are between Primary Day and July 31. There are three things you can do today to join the effort: Organize Volunteers, Collect Signatures and Host events