Emmaus businessman Wesley Barrett, 32, has formally announced his bid for Lehigh County Commissioner, District 5.

Barrett, a Democrat, is an Emmaus Borough Councilman and also owns and operates the Emmaus-based Wesley Works businesses: Wesley Works Real Estate, Wesley Works Photography Studio and Wesley Works Entertainment.

He is an Emmaus High School graduate ('99) and a graduate of Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

Barrett was first elected to Emmaus Borough Council in 2005 at the age of 25. During his tenure on the council, Barrett has served on nine separate working committees, according to a prepared statement announcing his candidacy.

He lists among his major accomplishments: his role in improving public safety by getting more police officers on the street; spearheading "first-in-the-Valley" constituent outreach efforts by airing council meetings on television and via webcasts, and greatly boosting the community and recreational offerings around town through grant funding. He also says he helped bring 11 thriving businesses to the Emmaus downtown, directly or indirectly. 

A lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley, Barrett lives in Emmaus, where he and his wife, Sarah, are now raising their two sons. He announced his candidacy for commissioner on the steps of the Wesley Works Building in Emmaus on Wednesday.

Constituents might have learned of Barrett's candidacy earlier this month when it was mentioned by fellow Democrat Tom Muller when Muller announced his bid for Lehigh County Executive.

District 5 includes Emmaus, Center Valley, Macungie, Upper and Lower Milford and Coopersburg, as well as parts of Allentown and Salisbury.