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.<\/p>\n
The debate, the first between the candidates, was hosted by Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Tony Iannelli on Moravian University\u2019s campus. It will air on WFMZ-TV at 7:30 p.m. April 6 and 13.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The debate was civil; all four candidates avoided personal or political attacks on one another.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Here are three key takeaways from the debate.<\/p>\n
Personal backgrounds<\/p>\n
Each candidate drew on their personal and professional background in their pitch to voters.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was raised by a single mother,\u201d Brooks said. \u201cI have worked multiple jobs at the same time just to pay the bills. I understand what it\u2019s like to be a working class person in the Lehigh Valley who is struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crosswell highlighted his background as a Marine \u2014 he enlisted shortly after the 9\/11 terrorist attacks \u2014 and a federal prosecutor taking on corruption-related cases.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen 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,\u201d Crosswell said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
John Fetterman<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Brooks said that he has not been able to get in touch with Fetterman since last year and said he is \u201cconcerned on all levels\u201d about his record.<\/p>\n
Obando-Derstine said she has \u201ca problem with people who say one thing and do another.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I am seeing from him, he campaigned on certain issues, and then he\u2019s doing something else,\u201d Obando-Derstine said about Fetterman, and vowed that \u201cno one in this district will be confused about what I stand for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Money in politics<\/p>\n