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Bethlehem council swears in new members; Rachel Leon elected council president, Colleen Laird vice president

City Council of Bethlehem · January 6, 2026

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Summary

At an organizational meeting, the City of Bethlehem swore in newly elected officials, then elected Rachel Leon council president (7–0) and Colleen Laird vice president (4–3). Judges administered oaths and the council immediately proceeded to routine votes and initial remarks.

Rachel Leon was elected council president in a 7–0 roll-call vote at Bethlehem’s organizational meeting, where judges also administered oaths to newly elected officials.

The meeting moved from ceremonial presentations into the swearing-in. Judge Brian Panella and Judge Jordan Nisley administered oaths of office to newly elected officials, including George Johnson, who was sworn in as controller; Justin (name appears in the transcript in variant spellings); Joe Daniels; Hillary (name recorded in the transcript in variant forms); and Rachel Leon. After the oath, Leon took the chair to preside over the remainder of the session.

Councilmember Rachel Leon won the presidency unanimously after a nomination and roll-call balloting process overseen by acting council solicitor Matthew Potts. The clerk called member votes by name; the tally was 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The council then held a separate vote for vice president; Colleen Laird was elected on a 4–3 roll-call vote.

The swearing-in and leadership votes follow a short list of ceremonial citations honoring outgoing members and a series of routine approvals earlier in the meeting. New President Leon used her first remarks to note the council’s increasing diversity and urged collegiality as the body begins its new term.

Next steps: the newly seated council will begin committee assignments and continue regular meetings under the new leadership.

Quote: “I would like to nominate Rachel Leon … I believe that she's fair and open minded,” a council member said during the nomination process (paraphrase from on-the-record remarks at the meeting).