Since his time as a consultant for the sewer board, Goldsmith was a perennial candidate for offices around Easton. He first got elected to the Easton city council in 1968, an office he would hold until 1988.[2][1] Following his departure from office he would continue to run consistently as a perennial candidate.[3]
Mayor of Easton
Goldsmith served three terms as mayor of Easton from 1992 to 2003.[1][2] Initially dismissed as just a perennial candidate, Goldsmith shockingly defeated Republican challengers to go on and upset incumbent mayor Salvatore J. Panto, Jr. in what is regarded as one of the largest upsets in Lehigh Valley political history.[3]
During his first re-election campaign in 1995, Goldsmith raised $33,503 and was endorsed by business, trade and professional associations not only across the Lehigh Valley but also across the state of Pennsylvania. This allowed him to easily defeat his Democratic challenger Carol Weaver, who raised just $3,325 and received only one endorsement from the Construction and General Laborer's Union, Local 1174.[4]
The election was notable for the claims that Democratic candidates for mayor and city council made that their Republican counterparts made fictitious claims about their policies and stances.[5]
Following his second term as mayor, Goldsmith reported a $2 million city budget surplus, 400 new jobs and 94 new businesses allowing him to easily win re-election for a third term in 1999. He focuses his third term on the expansion of the Police and Fire departments, and a revitalization of the downtown including renovations of several buildings.[7]
However, during his third term, in 2002, he was sued by a city employee, Stuart Gallaher, the Assistant Business Administrator on the claim that he had been fired due to disagreeing with the mayor on a political issue.[8]
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
Goldsmith stepped down as mayor of Easton on April 29, 2003, to become a board member for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board following his appointnment by Democratic governor Ed Rendell. He served in that role until the end of Rendell's term on October 31, 2011.[1]
Personal life
Goldsmith married Joann Doria who predeceased him in 2017. He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church.
