BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic congressional candidate Bob Brooks rallied supporters Sunday at the United Steelworkers union hall in Bethlehem, urging voters to back Brooks in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District race this November.
“We’ve got a candidate we can believe in to go to D.C. and actually have our back. And that candidate is our Democratic nominee for Congress, Bob Brooks,” Shapiro told the crowd.
Brooks is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie for the seat representing Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.
Speaking to supporters, Brooks described himself as someone who understands the challenges facing working families.
“It’s time we had somebody representing the Lehigh Valley in Congress who actually understands the challenges working people are facing,” Brooks said.
“I’m a regular working person. Like so many of the faces that I see in this room,” he added.
Brooks said his campaign is focused on raising the minimum wage, expanding access to affordable health care, ending overseas wars and lowering costs for working families.
Shapiro criticized Mackenzie, arguing the Republican congressman has not adequately represented the Lehigh Valley in Washington.
“The first thing he did when he had the power was to leave the Lehigh Valley, go to D.C. and turn his back on all of you,” Shapiro said.
Shapiro also accused Mackenzie of aligning himself with President Donald Trump.
“He lined up and did whatever Donald Trump told him to do,” Shapiro said.
Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, also endorsed Brooks during the event and framed the upcoming election as pivotal.
“100 days to change direction in the United States before it’s too late,” Jeffries said.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, when voters will decide who will represent Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District in Congress.