Photo by Patrick Hansell for The Lafayette
The May 19 primary will occur months after Lafayette College hosted a forum for Pennsylvania 7th District Democratic candidates.
Four Democrats will compete for a spot to challenge incumbent state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania’s 7th District in the primary election on May 19. The race is among many contested positions, with state and federal positions at stake in the key battleground state.
If your registered mailing address is here at Lafayette College, this guide is for you and your ballot. If registered elsewhere in Pennsylvania or out of state, use vote411.org, vote.org, or your local county election office to find information about who is running and how to vote. Independent voters are not eligible to vote in primaries.
U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania 7th District (2-year term)
The House seat, occupied by Mackenzie, represents Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton County and parts of Monroe County. Members of Congress craft and pass federal legislation and serve on committees of political and social interest. Of the 17 districts in Pennsylvania, 10 are represented by Republicans. All House seats are up for election.
Democratic candidates
Bob Brooks is the union president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association and served 20 years as a firefighter for the City of Bethlehem. He notably in 2024 disagreed with Mackenzie trying to pass mental health care coverage for firefighters. In mid-April, Brooks encountered backlash over a yearsold Facebook post favoring gun rights and has since apologized. His platform largely calls for higher wages, greater healthcare quality and universal work benefits.
Ryan Croswell is a former Marine and federal prosecutor with experience investigating public officials, including New York Mayor Eric Adams. His campaign centers around protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits and fighting against political corruption.
Lamont McClure previously sat on the Northampton County Council and served two terms as county executive until 2023. During his time, the county invested more than $23 million in farmland preservation, another $25 million in grants to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw a tax decrease in the county. He advocates for lower taxes, merit rewards for employees and greater health services.
Carol Obando-Derstine spent 15 years working with nonprofits such as the Children’s Coalition of the Lehigh Valley. She has worked with Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr. and served on Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s advisory committee on Latino affairs. Her platform calls for lowering costs for working families, expanding affordable healthcare and promoting clean energy, holding a master’s degree in energy systems engineering from Lehigh University.
Republican candidates
Ryan Mackenzie (incumbent) previously served as a Pennsylvania state representative, on the executive council of the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute and on the board of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. He was elected to this seat in 2024 — defeating Democrat Susan Wild — and has served on U.S. House committees relating to workforce protection, education, international relations and homeland security. His campaigns have focused on affordability and controlling illegal immigration.
Governor of Pennsylvania (4-year term)
The governor, as Pennsylvania’s chief executive officer, oversees the state’s executive branch, implements laws, manages budgets and commands the state’s National Guard.
Democratic candidate
Josh Shapiro (incumbent) was Pennsylvania’s Attorney General and a state representative before becoming governor. Guided by his “get sh-t done” mantra, Shapiro’s term has seen heavy investment in job creation, law enforcement and community organizations. After his 2023 inauguration, he secured universal free breakfast for students and pushed for infrastructure updates, leading to the repair of more poor-condition bridges than any other state that year.
Republican candidate
Stacy Garrity is a veteran with three deployments in the Middle East, and now serves as Pennsylvania’s treasurer. She has received the Legion of Merit and twice the Bronze Star, and saved nearly $17 million as a fiscal watchdog for a state savings program. Her platform calls for protecting healthcare and welfare benefits, eliminating tax fraud and promoting government transparency.
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania (4-year term)
Lieutenant governor is the second-highest executive officer in the state of Pennsylvania, operating as the chief when the governor is absent. They preside over the state’s Senate and manage specific policy initiatives.
Democratic candidate
Austin Davis (incumbent) was formerly a member of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives and has served as lieutenant governor since 2023. He chairs the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, in addition to several more councils and committees. His platform champions violence protection programs, and he has called for economic equality and more equitable education funding.
Republican candidates
Jason Richey runs his own legal practice, representing manufacturers, construction, energy and professional wrestling organizations. He also founded a community youth wrestling association; his platform calls for eliminating tax fraud, supporting law enforcement and promoting government transparency.
John Ventre was a security, crisis management and public affairs executive at UPS for over two decades; he sits on the board of directors for the Juvenile Diabetes Association of Western Pennsylvania and the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland. He is also interested in UFOs, having published several books on the subject, including “UFOs over Pennsylvania” and “The UFOLOGIST.” He has called for creating a “department of state efficiency,” lowering transportation taxes and implementing voter IDs.
Pennsylvania State Senate 18th District (4-year term)
This seat represents Northampton County and part of Lehigh County. State senators are tasked with crafting and voting on state-specific legislation, as well as serving on committees. Of the 50 seats statewide, 25 are up for election. Republicans hold a 27-23 majority.
Democratic candidate
Lisa Boscola (incumbent) is seeking her seventh term as District 18’s senator. She previously served as the deputy court administrator for Northampton County and was elected for two terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She was a prime sponsor for Senate Bill 421 — expanding voter access with mail-in ballots and later absentee ballot deadlines — as well as advocating for Bethlehem’s “City Revitalization and Improvement Zone.” Her campaign focuses on providing family-sustaining jobs, reforming redistricting and eliminating local school property taxes.
Republican candidate
Scott Janney holds a doctorate in education from Temple University and works as the director of gift planning for the 12-state Eastern USA Territory of the Salvation Army. Under his leadership, his team delegated $1 billion to feed the hungry, house the homeless, support recovering addicts and expand education. His campaign advocates for election integrity, responsible energy production and universally lowering taxes.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives 136th District (2-year term)
This seat represents much of Northampton County, including Easton. Similar to the Pennsylvania Senate, House members work to pass legislation specific to Pennsylvania, while also managing the state budget. Democrats hold a 102-99 majority with two vacancies. All House seats are up for election.
Democratic candidate
Robert Freeman (incumbent) has served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 1998, following a 12-year stint from 1982 to 1994. Freeman has served as chairman of the committee on land use and growth management and as a member of committees on labor relations and environmental resources.
Republican candidate
Pilar Cavallo-Campisi is an owner and staff member of Norwegian Spa in Easton and runs an organic skincare line called Tree Froggy. Her platform calls to maintain organic farming standards, support parental rights in education and protect women’s rights in athletics.