Democrat Tom Muller defeated Republican Scott Ott to become Lehigh County Executive, in a race that highlighted the difference between moderate and conservative ideologies at the county level.

Muller is the Lehigh County director of administration, and Ott is an outspoken fiscal conservative who has been on county council for two years, where he’s proposed austere budget cuts.

“Government needs to live within our means and adapt to the tough economy by reducing expenses, the way the rest of Lehigh County residents and businesses must do, and have done,” Ott said.

At midnight, Muller was leading Ott by about 1,000 votes (2% of the total) with 97% of precincts reporting.

It was expected to be close, but Ott was favored.

Since Ott was endorsed by sitting county executive Matt Croslis, Lehigh County speculated that this close race had been determined.

Current executive Croslis was appointed by council and after Muller was acting executive. Muller had become acting Lehigh County executive briefly when the previous holder of the position resigned for medical reasons. The executive before that also resigned the position to be the president of an economic development nonprofit.

When the Muller campaign was hit with the blow of the Croslis endorsement, they struck back, trumpeting the support of PA Dem’s Jim Burn, Ed Rendell and Bob Casey.

Muller had previously been a Republican, but changed parties in order to run against Ott in the general election.

Three incumbent Republicans will join him on Lehigh County Board of Commissioners after winning reelection tonight, Tom Creighton and Percy Dougherty. Republican Michael Schware eked out a win over Democrat Wesley Barrett.

Allentown Mayor

Also in Lehigh County, Ed Pawlowski is projected to win Allentown mayor again, though not with the strongest showing.

With 84% of precincts reporting, he was winning with 60% of the vote. The showing may dampen enthusiasm for his pursuit of statewide office.

Pawlowski sought reelection as Allentown mayor after winning the Republican and Democratic nomination; however, after announcing his campaign for governor, the former vice president of Allentown City Council Michael Donovan decided to challenge him, contending that the mayor’s attentions would not be on Allentown while he pursued the governor’s mansion.

Donovan, though a Democrat when he was on city council, ran as an Independent.