Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has successfully navigated his first major challenge of the midterms.
Bob Brooks, a firefighter union leader endorsed by Shapiro, will face Republican Representative Ryan Mackenzie in a crucial November battleground after securing the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania’s 7th District, emerging victorious from a competitive field.
This represents a notable success for Shapiro, who played a key role in recruiting Brooks as part of his determined effort to aid Democrats in reclaiming the House by flipping four pivotal seats in Pennsylvania. A sweeping success could potentially pave the way for Shapiro’s anticipated 2028 presidential bid.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also benefits from this outcome, having recently included Brooks in its “Red to Blue” initiative and supported him with pre-primary advertising.
As a newcomer to the political arena, Brooks heavily relied on the endorsement of the highly popular governor to rise above a four-way contest that included former Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell, and engineer Carol Obando-Derstine, who advised former Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania.
Shapiro demonstrated strong support by endorsing Brooks, organizing a fundraiser for him in December, creating an advertisement for him in the spring, and campaigning alongside him just before Election Day.
This support brought scrutiny for both Shapiro and Brooks. Media outlets uncovered Brooks’ controversial past social media posts and a contentious family property dispute. Brooks also suggested that Shapiro had attempted to retaliate against a political adversary in 2024 by urging his union to support her Republican rival, though Brooks later retracted this statement, saying he misspoke.
In the final days of the race, a mysterious external organization with apparent Republican ties, Lead Left PAC, spent over $1 million promoting McClure and attempting to undermine Brooks and Crosswell. However, voters seemed to overlook these efforts.
Brooks enjoyed support beyond Shapiro’s backing. The blue-collar candidate, who has worked as a bartender and snowplow driver, is championed by various Democrats as an example of how the party can regain working-class voters.
He has amassed one of the most extensive endorsement lists among House challengers, with backing from figures like Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the Blue Dogs. His campaign also includes support from prominent Democratic operatives, such as the progressive Fight Agency and The Bench, a new organization dedicated to electing nontraditional Democrats.
