Bob Brooks’ victory in Tuesday’s Democratic primary in the race for the 7th Congressional District brought immediate praise from those backing him and criticism from his Republican opponent in the November general election.
Among them were comments from incumbent Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s reelection campaign:
“Tonight, after spending millions of dollars in dark money on his behalf, the Democratic establishment got their hand-picked candidate: con-man and fraudster Bob Brooks. These groups steamrolled local Democrats and hijacked the democratic process in order to nominate a corrupt political insider, a wealthy lobbyist with a vast stock portfolio, and someone who has a record of stealing from his own family. The establishment Democrat machine has done this for one reason: they know that Bob Brooks will follow orders from his political bosses, just like he did as a union boss. The people of the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos will reject this dumpster fire of a candidate,” Mackenzie for Congress spokesperson Arnaud Armstrong said.
The End Citizens United PAC, which endorsed Brooks in March, offered congratulations:
“Bob ran on lowering costs, taking on corruption, and promising to end the pay-to-play culture that has become normalized in Washington. That message helped him get through the primary and will be crucial to flipping this seat in November. We’re proud to support him because we know he’ll work for his constituents, not the special interests,” End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller said.
The National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Reilly Richardson said, “Congressman Ryan Mackenzie has spent his first term in office fighting to lower the cost of living, improve community safety, and provide much-needed tax relief for Pennsylvania workers, families, and seniors. Bernie Bro Bob Brooks is a far-left socialist and poll-constructed fraud whose entire campaign is propped up by DC Democrats. Voters know Brooks’s tax-and-spend agenda would devastate the Lehigh Valley, which is why they’ll reelect Ryan Mackenzie this November.”
Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters said, “Democrats were so desperate to secure obedient allies that they meddled in a competitive primary, put their thumb on the scale, and won themselves a rubber-stamp candidate in Bob Brooks. Brooks doesn’t stand for anything but himself, and now the party bosses who bought and paid for this primary win. Lehigh Valley voters won’t be fooled and will send proven fighter Representative Ryan Mackenzie back to Congress for a second term.”
Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Eugene DePasquale praised Brooks and other winners of congressional primaries.
“Tonight, Pennsylvania Democrats nominated a slate of candidates who are ready to put the people of this Commonwealth first, and reject the chaos, corruption, and cost-raising agenda that Pennsylvania Republicans have embraced in Harrisburg and in Washington. …
“I congratulate Bob Harvie, Chris Rabb, Bob Brooks, Paige Cognetti, Rachel Wallace, and Janelle Stelson on winning their nominations. The path to a Democratic House majority runs through Pennsylvania, and together, we’ll work tirelessly to put a check on Donald Trump’s chaos and the harm it is causing Pennsylvanians.”