“I’m running for Congress because Washington doesn’t give a damn about working people and it’s time for that to change. Congressman Mackenzie hasn’t held a real job in his life and sells out Pennsylvania working families every chance he gets- he voted this summer to kick thousands of our neighbors off their health care.” (Politico, 8/26/25)

“I’ve got into this for the people I’ve worked alongside my whole life. There are not enough working-class people in Congress.” ​(International Association of Firefighters All News, 8/29/25)

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To hear directly from candidate Brooks, watch this short video:

2026 Primary: Live with Bob Brooks

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BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

Bob Brooks was a professional firefighter in Bethlehem, PA for 20 years and was President of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association. In this capacity, he helped lead a 10-year fight to bring mental health insurance coverage to firefighters. He negotiated fairer contracts, fought for improved health care, livable wages, and safer working conditions. Brooks became a voice in Harrisburg for working families across the state.

 

Brooks owns Brooks Lawn Care, a family-operated snow removal and   lawn care business he started in 2013.

 

He lives in Nazareth with his wife, Jen. They have four children and one grandchild.

  

ON THE ISSUES

Bob Brooks is concerned with a system that “isn't broken. It's working the way it was designed to work: by and for the super-rich.”

 

His platform focuses on changing this system including:

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• Repealing Citizens United

• Banning corporate PAC money from politics

• Banning stock trading by members of Congress

• Initiating term limits. No more lifetime politicians

• Ensuring fair taxes are paid by rich. No more free rides for billionaires and big corporations

 

POLITICS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania is a competitive swing state. Democrat Josh Shapiro is Governor and Democrats control the state House of Representatives but Republicans hold the majority in the state Senate. In Congress, seven of Pennsylvania’s 17 House seats are held by Democrats and the Senate is split between Democrats and Republicans.

 

Brooks has been endorsed by Governor Shapiro, Senator Bernie Sanders, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and both the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Blue Dog Democrats.

 

This Lehigh Valley swing seat was carried by Trump ‘16 by three points, won by Biden by less than a point in 2020, and won by Trump in ’24, again by three points.

 

The incumbent, Ryan Mackenzie, flipped the district in ‘24 with 50.5% of the vote, defeating incumbent Democrat Susan Wild by 1%. PA 07 is among the most competitive districts in the country and one of four in Pennsylvania targeted by Democrats this cycle.

 

The race is currently rated Toss-up by both Cook and Sabato.