The four Democratic candidates for Congress in the Lehigh Valley made their case to voters in a televised debate that will air in two parts beginning next week.

The debate, the first between the candidates, was hosted by Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Tony Iannelli on Moravian University’s campus. It will air on WFMZ-TV at 7:30 p.m. April 6 and 13.

The candidates are Pennsylvania Fire Fighters Association President Bob Brooks; former PPL engineer Carol Obando-Derstine; former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell; and former Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure.

The four Democrats are vying in the May 19 primary to challenge Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-7, in the November general election. The district includes all of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, and a portion of western Monroe County. It is considered one of the most competitive districts in the country; the margin of victory in the last two elections has been below two points.

The debate was civil; all four candidates avoided personal or political attacks on one another.

They were largely in lockstep with one another on issues like the war in Iran (opposed), immigration (needs reform) and the cost of living (too high). All criticized Donald Trump, Mackenzie and the Republican Party for what they see as increasing chaos in the federal government and decreasing quality of life for Americans.

Here are three key takeaways from the debate.

Personal backgrounds

Each candidate drew on their personal and professional background in their pitch to voters.

Brooks, who has secured the endorsement of prominent political figures including Gov. Josh Shapiro and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, drew upon his history as a union leader and his working class background to make the case that he understands the financial realities Lehigh Valley residents face.

“I was raised by a single mother,” Brooks said. “I have worked multiple jobs at the same time just to pay the bills. I understand what it’s like to be a working class person in the Lehigh Valley who is struggling.”

Crosswell highlighted his background as a Marine — he enlisted shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks — and a federal prosecutor taking on corruption-related cases.

“When Donald Trump tried to force my section to drop the criminal case against [then New York City Mayor] Eric Adams, I refused, I resigned and I fought back,” Crosswell said.

Obando-Derstine said her background as an immigrant from Colombia who became a citizen at 19 years old would appeal to Latino voters in the district, who make up around 20% of the voting age population.

She also drew upon her record as an energy engineer, which she said would help her, if elected, address the rising cost of and demand for energy nationwide.

McClure highlighted his record as Northampton County executive, which includes an executive order disallowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement from making arrests on county property and cutting property taxes in 2022.

John Fetterman

All four Democratic candidates criticized Sen. John Fetterman, who has broken with Democrats on some top issues since his 2022 election, siding with Republicans on key votes such as the 2025 government shutdown and war with Iran.

Brooks said that he has not been able to get in touch with Fetterman since last year and said he is “concerned on all levels” about his record.

Obando-Derstine said she has “a problem with people who say one thing and do another.”

“That’s what I am seeing from him, he campaigned on certain issues, and then he’s doing something else,” Obando-Derstine said about Fetterman, and vowed that “no one in this district will be confused about what I stand for.”

Money in politics

All of the candidates addressed their campaign fundraising and touched on their own views on money in politics.

McClure, who has lagged behind his opponents in fundraising, said, “We need to get money out of politics.” He said he would support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, a Supreme Court decision that has allowed unlimited spending from corporations and political committees on elections.

Obando-Derstine and Brooks agreed with McClure on Citizens United; Crosswell did not explicitly touch on the Supreme Court decision, but said he does “not like money in politics” and has vowed to not accept campaign contributions from corporations.

Crosswell has raised more than all of his Democratic opponents.

Reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at Liweber@mcall.com.