Democrats come together to support Bob Brooks as midterms ramp up

The meeting hall of Teamsters Local 773 was packed to the brim with Democrats on Wednesday who came together to support Bob Brooks in his campaign against Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in the Nov. 3 midterm election.

Among the dozens of Brooks supporters were his Democratic primary election opponents Ryan Crosswell and Carol Obando-Derstine, former U.S. Reps. Susan Wild and Conor Lamb, and Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Eugene DePasquale.

“Pennsylvania is the center of the universe in election years, and PA-7 is the center of the Pennsylvania universe,” Wild said. “We are the ultimate swing district in the ultimate swing state. All eyes are on Pennsylvania-7.”

Jeremy Warmkessel, an Allentown firefighter who has known Brooks for 20 years after meeting him through their respective unions, said he saw the unity among the Democrats after a tough primary battle as having been easily formed, given they all agree on the same major issues.

“At the end of the day, the primary goal is to remove Ryan Mackenzie and get the house majority back on our side,” Warmkessel said. “The fact that we can disagree but then all come together and understand the one big picture is super important.”

Lamont G. McClure, the former Northampton County executive who also ran for the Democratic nomination, was traveling and unable to attend.

Wallace Lee of Palmer Township speaks with Bob Brooks on...

Wallace Lee of Palmer Township speaks with Bob Brooks on June 3, 2026, during a general election kickoff event in Whitehall Township for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Attendees react Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during a general election kickoff event in Whitehall Township for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Eugene DePasquale speaks Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bob Brooks greets people Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for his congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bob Brooks poses with Palmerton Area Democratic Committee President Sarina Barlow on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for his congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. pose for a picture Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Former candidate Ryan Crosswell speaks Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

People listen to speakers Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during a general election kickoff event in Whitehall Township for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bob Brooks and Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Eugene DePasquale react Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Eugene DePasquale and Former U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District pose for a picture Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bob Brooks speaks Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for his congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Former candidate Carol Obando-Derstine speaks Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bob Brooks listens to Palmerton Area Democratic Committee president Sarina Barlow on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for his congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. pose for a picture Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Former U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District, speaks Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, who defeated Wild in 2024. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

David Christian of Allentown and April Hunter of Bethlehem meet Bob Brooks after he spoke Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for his congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bob Brooks speaks on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for his congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. pose for a picture Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bob Brooks and Former U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District hug Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for his congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bob Brooks reacts as Former U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District speaks (not shown) Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for his congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Former candidate Ryan Crosswell shakes hands with Bob Brooks on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Brooks’ congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

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Despite the turnout for Brooks, the Mackenzie campaign appeared unfazed, issuing a news release highlighting some of the criticisms of Brooks made during the primary campaign by his primary opponents and other Democrats, including Wild, who had backed Obando-Derstine.

“In recent months, Democrats across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos have rightfully pointed out Brooks’ history of fraud, dishonesty, shady deals, sketchy social media posts and embarrassing gaffes,” campaign manager Andres Weller said in the release. “Right now, Brooks’ bosses in the D.C. establishment are desperately trying to pick up the pieces from their disastrous primary by putting all of his former opponents together in a room.”

Democrats at the event highlighted the need to increase voter turnout to ensure victory over Mackenzie, and how such a victory would help rein in President Donald Trump.

“We can get back to a spot where we’re hopeful for the future rather than living in fear that things are just going to continue to get worse,” Crosswell said. “Let’s take back this seat. Let’s take back the House. Let’s take back our country.”

“We have two choices here: One, a working class person who knows what it’s like to keep communities safe and knows the impact of what’s happened in Washington, D.C. — what that does to family budgets, what cutting Medicaid does, what it does to our hospitals, what it does to working families — Bob Brooks knows that,” DePasquale said. “On the other side is Donald Trump. Now, you may say to yourself, ‘Oh, Eugene, I’m confused here. I thought Bob was running against Ryan Mackenzie.’ Let me be very clear about this: They are one in the same. There is no difference.”

Brooks spoke about his upbringing, the journey to becoming the Democratic candidate for Lehigh Valley’s seat in Congress and the need to defeat Mackenzie.

“We have one shot and that’s Nov. 3 … ,” Brooks said. “I will make you proud, I promise you that. I will fight for you every single day that I’m in this. I will not let up. We will be 100% all gas, no brakes.”

Shadwick Yoder, president of the Lehigh Valley Young Democrats, said it was important to continue to break down any lingering skepticism among voters toward Brooks ahead of the election by showing them his willingness to fight for everyone in the Lehigh Valley.

“We have a responsibility to those voters to show why he is the best candidate not only from the primary, but against Ryan Mackenzie,” Yoder said. “We are all excited for November because we have so much that we can work on, so much that we’re going to be fighting for, because there’s so much already on the line.”

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