Skip to content
elect.link
Latest
Allupdates
D Democratic · U.S. House 7, Pennsylvania · Nov 3, 2026

Bob
Brooks

Democratic firefighter and union leader Bob Brooks challenges Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District in 2026.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
22
positions
12
endorsements
47
brooksforcongress.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Ryan Mackenzie R Compare race →

Background

Bob Brooks is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, challenging Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie in the November general election. The FEC lists him as a Democratic challenger, and he won the Democratic primary in May 2026. 2125

Brooks spent 20 years with the Bethlehem Fire Department, retiring after joining in 2005. He has served as president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association since 2021. He also owns and operates Brooks Lawn Care, a family lawn-care and snow-removal business he founded in 2013. 215

Before his fire-service career, Brooks held a variety of jobs including dishwasher, short-order cook, bartender, landscaper, warehouse worker, and pizza-delivery driver, and worked as a Teamster. He does not hold a college degree. He grew up in North Adams, Massachusetts, moved to Pennsylvania more than 30 years ago, and currently lives in Nazareth, PA. 214

Brooks has no prior elected public office. His campaign, headquartered at brooksforcongress.com, frames affordability and working-class concerns as central issues. 29

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 7, Pennsylvania
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
President, Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association; owner, Brooks Lawn Care
Website
brooksforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Nov 3
    filing
    Brooks listed as Democratic candidate on PA-07 general election ballot against incumbent Mackenzie

    Brooks is listed as the Democratic candidate on the general-election ballot for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, running against Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie.

    Election 2026 guide: What to know about 7th District race for Congress · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 9
    news
    Brooks publishes Morning Call op-ed on democracy, gerrymandering, and redistricting

    Brooks outlined his positions on democracy, gerrymandering, and redistricting in a Morning Call candidate response, reiterating he was 'not taking a dime of corporate PAC money in this race.'

    Opinion by Pa. 7th District congressional candidate Bob Brooks: Where I stand on democracy, gerrymandering and redistricting · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 8
    news
    Morning Call election guide identifies Brooks vs. Mackenzie as the PA-07 general election matchup

    The Morning Call's election guide confirmed Brooks and Mackenzie as the two candidates in the PA-07 race and noted they would debate the following month. The Mackenzie campaign had accused Brooks of refusing debate opportunities; Brooks's response was not included in retrieved articles.

    Election 2026 guide: What to know about 7th District race for Congress · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 7
    news
    Brooks publishes Morning Call op-ed on the Iran war

    Brooks published a Morning Call candidate response outlining his position on the Iran war, calling for its end as part of his broader economic and foreign policy platform.

    Opinion by Pa. 7th District congressional candidate Bob Brooks: Where I stand on the Iran war · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 6
    news
    Brooks publishes Morning Call op-ed on voting and election integrity

    Brooks outlined his positions on voting and election integrity in a Morning Call candidate response series.

    Opinion by Pa. 7th District congressional candidate Bob Brooks: Where I stand on voting and election integrity · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Oct 6
    news
    Keystone Newsroom reports Brooks wants to end Iran war and reverse tariffs to lower prices

    Keystone Newsroom reported Brooks called for reversing Trump's tariffs and ending the war in Iran as ways to lower costs. His campaign website positions also included taxing billionaires, repealing the 2017 tax law, and reversing Medicaid and SNAP cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    Bob Brooks wants to end Iran war and tariffs to lower prices · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Oct 5
    news
    Brooks publishes Morning Call op-ed on healthcare

    Brooks published a Morning Call candidate response addressing healthcare, as part of a series of policy statements by PA-07 candidates.

    Opinion: Bob Brooks on healthcare · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Oct 4
    news
    Brooks publishes Morning Call op-ed on affordability and cost of living

    In a Morning Call candidate response series, Brooks addressed affordability and the cost of living, outlining his policy positions on the issue.

    Opinion: Bob Brooks on affordability and cost of living · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 26
    endorsement
    Brooks campaign page lists endorsements from Gov. Shapiro, Sanders, Warren, Coons and others

    Brooks's campaign listed endorsements from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Chris Coons, as well as several Pennsylvania members of Congress and state and local officials. Individual endorsement dates were not provided on the campaign page.

    Endorsements - Bob Brooks for Congress · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 24
    news
    Brooks reported with ~$2.39M raised and ~$1.02M cash on hand in federal filings

    A campaign-finance profile citing federal filings listed Brooks with about $2.39 million raised, $1.37 million spent, and $1.02 million cash on hand. The pre-general report covering through October 14 was not yet filed and was due October 22.

    Bob Brooks (D) — U.S. Representative, PA-07 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Sep 24
    poll
    Poll shows Brooks leading Mackenzie 45% to 40% in PA-07

    A Franklin & Marshall College Center for Opinion Research survey of 357 registered voters (surveyed Sept. 9–20) showed Brooks ahead 45% to 40%, with 16% undecided. The lead was within the ±5.8-point margin of error. Brooks also led among independents and moderates.

    Pennsylvania poll: Trump low approval gives Democrats ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  12. Sep 21
    news
    Morning Call examines Brooks ad criticizing Mackenzie's corporate PAC contributions

    The Morning Call reported Brooks's campaign had no corporate PAC donations in its finance reports, while Mackenzie had received just over $200,000 from corporate PACs—about 4% of his $4.36 million haul. The paper cautioned that corporate PAC contributions are legal and a relatively small share of total fundraising.

    Ad Watch: Bob Brooks ad that criticizes corporate PACs needs additional context · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  13. May 19
    filing
    Bob Brooks wins Democratic primary for PA-07 with 28,232 votes

    Brooks won the Democratic primary and became the party's nominee for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. Certified primary returns listed Robert R. Brooks with 28,232 votes.

    Bob Brooks (D) — U.S. Representative, PA-07 | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Teamsters Local 773 union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026; no separate endorsement date given. keystonenewsroom.com
  • Austin Davis (Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given in sources reviewed. brooksforcongress.com
  • Chris Deluzio (U.S. Representative) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page and described as an early backer in news reports; no exact date established. brooksforcongress.com
  • Madeleine Dean (U.S. Representative) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Chrissy Houlahan (U.S. Representative) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Matt Bradford (Pennsylvania House Majority Leader) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Bernie Sanders (U.S. Senator) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page and described as an early backer; no exact date established. brooksforcongress.com
  • Ruben Gallego (U.S. Senator) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Elizabeth Warren (U.S. Senator) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Chris Coons (U.S. Senator) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Chris Murphy (U.S. Senator) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Ro Khanna (U.S. Representative) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Val Hoyle (U.S. Representative) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Jamie Raskin (U.S. Representative) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Pete Buttigieg (former U.S. Secretary of Transportation) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Matt Tuerk (Mayor of Allentown) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Sal Panto (Mayor of Easton) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Defend the Vote organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • American Federation of Government Employees union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026; no separate endorsement date given. keystonenewsroom.com
  • International Association of Fire Fighters union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026; no separate endorsement date given. keystonenewsroom.com
  • Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026; no separate endorsement date given. keystonenewsroom.com
  • SEIU 32BJ union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026; no separate endorsement date given. keystonenewsroom.com
  • Pennsylvania State Education Association union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026; no separate endorsement date given. keystonenewsroom.com
  • Steamfitters Local 420 union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026; no separate endorsement date given. keystonenewsroom.com
  • Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026; no separate endorsement date given. keystonenewsroom.com
  • Josh Shapiro (Governor of Pennsylvania) official
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no exact endorsement date given in sources reviewed. brooksforcongress.com
  • Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) organization
    Reported as endorsing Brooks by May 7, 2026; exact endorsement date not specified in sources. lehighvalleypublicmedia.org
  • Clean Water Action organization
    Listed on Clean Water Action's 2026 Pennsylvania endorsements page; no specific endorsement date given. cleanwater.org
  • Congressional Progressive Caucus organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • End Citizens United organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Feminist Majority organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Make the Road Action PA organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Lehigh Valley Young Dems organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Patriotic Millionaires organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Voter Protection Project organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Social Security Works PAC organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Planned Parenthood Action Fund organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • Reproductive Freedom for All organization
    Listed on Brooks's campaign endorsement page; no date given. brooksforcongress.com
  • MoveOn organization
    MoveOn endorsement page dated September 21, 2026 (updated October 2). front.moveon.org · Sep 21, 2026
  • Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026, per Keystone Newsroom. keystonenewsroom.com · Jul 23, 2026
  • North Eastern Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026, per Keystone Newsroom. keystonenewsroom.com · Jul 23, 2026
  • Lehigh Valley Building & Construction Trades Council union
    Reported as an endorser by July 23, 2026, per Keystone Newsroom. keystonenewsroom.com · Jul 23, 2026
  • Pennsylvania AFL-CIO union
    Pennsylvania AFL-CIO unanimously endorsed Brooks on July 23, 2026, per Keystone Newsroom reporting and the PA AFL-CIO endorsed candidates page. keystonenewsroom.com · Jul 23, 2026
  • Lehigh Valley Labor Council union
    Endorsed Brooks on July 23, 2026, per Keystone Newsroom reporting. keystonenewsroom.com · Jul 23, 2026
  • Blue Dog PAC organization
    Blue Dog PAC announced its endorsement on April 27, 2026, per the archive of political emails and the Blue Dog PAC announcement page. bluedogdems.com · Apr 27, 2026
  • National Nurses United union
    NNU announced its endorsement of Brooks on March 13, 2026. nationalnursesunited.org · Mar 13, 2026
  • Working Families Party organization
    WFP officially announced its endorsement of Brooks for PA-07 on March 3, 2026. workingfamilies.org · Mar 3, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$2.39M
Spent
$1.37M
Cash on hand
$1.02M

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6PA07188(opens in a new tab)

Sources 22

  1. [1] Opinion by Pa. 7th District congressional candidate Bob Brooks: Where I stand on democracy, gerrymandering and redistricting(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  2. [2] Be a Clean Water Voter: 2026 Pennsylvania Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  3. [3] Blue Dog PAC Endorses Bob Brooks for Pennsylvania's ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  4. [4] Election 2026 guide: What to know about 7th District race for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  5. [5] Opinion by Pa. 7th District congressional candidate Bob Brooks: Where I stand on the Iran war(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  6. [6] Bob Brooks wants to end Iran war and tariffs to lower prices(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  7. [7] Opinion by Pa. 7th District congressional candidate Bob Brooks: Where I stand on voting and election integrity(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  8. [8] Opinion: Bob Brooks on healthcare(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  9. [9] Opinion: Bob Brooks on affordability and cost of living(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  10. [10] Endorsements - Bob Brooks for Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  11. [11] Bob Brooks (D) — U.S. Representative, PA-07 | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  12. [12] Pennsylvania poll: Trump low approval gives Democrats ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  13. [13] Ad Watch: Bob Brooks ad that criticizes corporate PACs needs additional context(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  14. [14] Bob Brooks : MoveOn: People-Powered Progress(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  15. [15] Bob Brooks for U.S. House 2026 | Battleground Vote(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
  16. [16] Bob's Platform - Bob Brooks for Congress(opens in a new tab) Aug 3, 2026
  17. [17] ‘Bob Brooks is one of us:’ Dozens of labor unions back Brooks’ campaign(opens in a new tab) Jul 23, 2026
  18. [18] Lehigh Valley unions line up behind Bob Brooks(opens in a new tab) Jul 23, 2026
  19. [19] Lehigh Valley Political Pulse: Is Democratic field in PA-7 beginning to separate?(opens in a new tab) May 7, 2026
  20. [20] National Nurses United endorses Bob Brooks for ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 13, 2026
  21. [21] WFP Endorses Bob Brooks for Congress in PA-07 - Working ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 3, 2026
  22. [22] Bob Brooks — official campaign website(opens in a new tab)
Are you Bob Brooks?
Claim this page to add a statement to voters and correct your details.
Sign in to claim
elect.link

Candidate pages are assembled automatically from public web sources. Every claim links to where it came from. Nonpartisan; no endorsements. Candidates can claim their page to add a statement and corrections.