Bob Brooks projected winner in PA's 7th Congressional District
Democrat Bob Brooks was elected Tuesday to represent Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie, according to ABC News projections.
Brooks, who worked as a firefighter and union leader, concentrated on his blue-collar background, saying he understood the affordability issues facing voters in the Lehigh Valley battleground district.
#pennsylvania #fyp #politics https://6abc.com/post/pa-election-results-2026-bob-brooks-projected-winner-pennsylvanias-7th-congressional-district/20013811/
Democrat Bob Brooks, the head of a local firefighters union,
is the projected winner in that race,
beating Republican Representative Ryan McKenzie.
Action News reporter Leland Pinder,
is live from Ben Salem at Brooks' headquarters with the latest there.
Leland.
Yeah, Rick, ABC News now projecting that Brooks win here.
And a short time ago, Ryan McKenzie addressing
his supporters here in the Lehigh Valley conceding this race.
Now, here at Brooks' headquarters,
he wrapped up his victory speech about 40 minutes ago.
Lots of cheers, lots of hugs here.
As Brooks said, he overcame, rather, a very negative campaign at times.
From the front, he thanked his union brothers and sisters,
a very important group to him,
also his family and all of his supporters throughout this district.
Now, this race
The race, rather, was not as close as last cycle
when Ryan McKenzie won this seat.
At last check, Brooks on his way to nearly 60% of the vote.
Take a listen to what he had to say just a short time ago.
I spoke with people in Carbon County
who are getting crushed, just like I am,
by having to pay $6 a gallon for diesel
because of a pointless war in Iran.
Yeah.
I've talked with small business owners in Palestine
who are struggling because of Trump's reckless tariffs.
I've talked to families who are going without health insurance
because of rising costs and devastating cuts from this administration.
People are hurting.
And tonight, they sent a clear message.
It's time for things to change.
And one of the counties where Brooks did very well, Lehigh County.
I talked to the mayor of Allentown a short time ago.
He believes that his city played
a really big role in delivering this victory,
which is largely Latino coming out on issues related to immigration,
but also things like the economy and affordability.
Brooks now vowing to champion those issues
for working families in D.C. here in PA7.
We're live here in Bethlehem now.
Leland Pinder, Channel 6, Action News.
Rick?
Leland, thank you.