Lisa Scheller’s ties to election deniers should disqualify her from Congress |

Lisa Scheller, Republican candidate the Lehigh Valley’s congressional seat, is casting herself as a “moderate,” but don’t be fooled: she associates with anti-democratic extremists.

Scheller planned a “volunteer picnic and training” with Scott Presier, a “voter registration activist” with a history of denying election results, working with hate groups and embracing the QAnon conspiracy. Presley didn’t end up appearing at the event but, according to the Northampton County GOP’s Facebook page, his appearance will be “rescheduled soon.”

Scheller also has the support of Steve Lynch, a “Stop the Steal” rally goer who doesn’t stop at election denial. In 2021 he suggested taking “20 strong men” to school board meetings– for what possible purpose but to intimidate his political opponents? Lynch was a paid campaign worker for Scheller in 2020. He publicly supports her; she has not denounced his violent rhetoric or rejected his support.

Scheller’s ties to Presley and Lynch are disqualifying. This highlights just how unserious a candidate Scheller is. It should shatter any illusion that Scheller is anything but an extremist who flirts with election denialism and puts our country and its two and a half centuries of democracy in jeopardy. Scheller’s candidacy is a risk we can’t afford to take.

Jim Fiorentino

Bethlehem