The Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th Congressional District is considered one of the most competitive districts in the country, and who wins in November could help determine which party takes control of the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Four Democrats have lined up to challenge incumbent Republican Ryan Mackenzie, who is seeking his second term. It\u2019ll be a close race: The margin of victory in the last two elections has been less than two percentage points. Campaigns and special interest groups poured over $37 million dollars into advertising and voter outreach<\/a> in the 2024 race, which saw Mackenzie narrowly defeat Rep. Susan Wild to take over the seat.<\/p>\n Ahead of the May 19 primary, The Morning Call asked the Democratic candidates for their detailed thoughts on key issues including the war in Iran, inflation, immigration issues and other major topics.<\/p>\n The Morning Call formulated a written questionnaire consisting of 10 questions most pertinent to local voters; each candidate had the opportunity to respond in no more than 200 words.<\/p>\n The 7th District includes all of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, and a portion of western Monroe County.<\/p>\n Pennsylvania is a closed primary state, meaning only voters who are Democrats or Republicans can vote in their respective party\u2019s primary. The deadline to register to vote or change your registration is May 4.<\/p>\n Meet the candidates<\/p>\n Bob Brooks<\/a><\/p>\n Brooks is president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association and a former Bethlehem firefighter. He has received endorsements from prominent figures including Gov. Josh Shapiro, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio. Read his responses here.<\/a><\/p>\n Ryan Croswell<\/a><\/p>\n Crosswell is an attorney, former Department of Justice prosecutor and Marine Corps veteran who announced his run for the seat in May 2025. He made national headlines last year when he resigned as a career Department of Justice prosecutor, a position he had held since May 2020, and wrote in a public letter of resignation that he was directed to dismiss a criminal indictment for political reasons. Read his responses here.<\/a><\/p>\n Lamont G. McClure<\/a><\/p>\n McClure served as Northampton County\u2019s executive from 2018 through 2025. Before his time at the helm of the county, he was a Northampton County Council member from 2006 to 2013. He was the first Democrat to announce a challenge against Mackenzie in February 2025, and has secured local endorsements from former Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong, Bethlehem City Council President Rachel Leon and Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. Read his responses here.<\/a><\/p>\n Carol Obando-Derstine<\/a><\/p>\n Obando-Derstine is a former engineer and regional affairs director for PPL who announced her run for Congress last May with the backing of former U.S. Rep. Susan Wild. Before working for PPL, she was a regional manager for Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, and also has been an executive director at local nonprofits including SkillsUSA Council and Children\u2019s Coalition of the Lehigh Valley. Read her responses here.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n