{"id":210588,"date":"2026-06-04T15:11:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T15:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/210588\/"},"modified":"2026-06-04T15:11:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T15:11:49","slug":"democrats-come-together-to-support-bob-brooks-as-midterms-ramp-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/210588\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrats come together to support Bob Brooks as midterms ramp up"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cPennsylvania is the center of the universe in election years, and PA-7 is the center of the Pennsylvania universe,\u201d Wild said. \u201cWe are the ultimate swing district in the ultimate swing state. All eyes are on Pennsylvania-7.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day, the primary goal is to remove Ryan Mackenzie and get the house majority back on our side,\u201d Warmkessel said. \u201cThe fact that we can disagree but then all come together and understand the one big picture is super important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lamont G. McClure, the former Northampton County executive who also ran for the Democratic nomination, was traveling and unable to attend.<\/p>\n

\"Wallace<\/p>\n

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\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Attendees<\/p>\n

Attendees react Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during a general election kickoff event in Whitehall Township for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Pennsylvania<\/p>\n

Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Eugene DePasquale speaks Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. pose for a picture Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

Former candidate Ryan Crosswell speaks Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

People listen to speakers Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during a general election kickoff event in Whitehall Township for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Pennsylvania<\/p>\n

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\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

Former candidate Carol Obando-Derstine speaks Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. pose for a picture Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

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\u2019 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)\n<\/p>\n

\"David<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. pose for a picture Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Attendees<\/p>\n

Attendees react Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during a general election kickoff event in Whitehall Township for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Attendees<\/p>\n

Attendees react Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during a general election kickoff event in Whitehall Township for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

Former candidate Ryan\u00a0Crosswell\u00a0shakes hands with Bob Brooks on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"David<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Wallace<\/p>\n

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\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

Former candidate Ryan\u00a0Crosswell\u00a0shakes hands with Bob Brooks on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 7th District. pose for a picture Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Whitehall Township during a general election kickoff event for Bob Brooks\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 27<\/p>\n

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\u2019 congressional campaign. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley\u2019s 7th District. (April Gamiz\/The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn recent months, Democrats across the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos have rightfully pointed out Brooks\u2019 history of fraud, dishonesty, shady deals, sketchy social media posts and embarrassing gaffes,\u201d campaign manager Andres Weller said in the release. \u201cRight now, Brooks\u2019 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can get back to a spot where we\u2019re hopeful for the future rather than living in fear that things are just going to continue to get worse,\u201d Crosswell said. \u201cLet\u2019s take back this seat. Let\u2019s take back the House. Let\u2019s take back our country.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have two choices here: One, a working class person who knows what it\u2019s like to keep communities safe and knows the impact of what\u2019s happened in Washington, D.C. \u2014 what that does to family budgets, what cutting Medicaid does, what it does to our hospitals, what it does to working families \u2014 Bob Brooks knows that,\u201d DePasquale said. \u201cOn the other side is Donald Trump. Now, you may say to yourself, \u2018Oh, Eugene, I\u2019m confused here. I thought Bob was running against Ryan Mackenzie.\u2019 Let me be very clear about this: They are one in the same. There is no difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brooks spoke about his upbringing, the journey to becoming the Democratic candidate for Lehigh Valley\u2019s seat in Congress and the need to defeat Mackenzie.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have one shot and that\u2019s Nov. 3 \u2026 ,\u201d Brooks said. \u201cI will make you proud, I promise you that. I will fight for you every single day that I\u2019m in this. I will not let up. We will be 100% all gas, no brakes.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a responsibility to those voters to show why he is the best candidate not only from the primary, but against Ryan Mackenzie,\u201d Yoder said. \u201cWe are all excited for November because we have so much that we can work on, so much that we\u2019re going to be fighting for, because there\u2019s so much already on the line.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The meeting hall of Teamsters Local 773 was packed to the brim with Democrats on Wednesday who came…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":210589,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[119,121,120,836,182,139,50,432],"class_list":["post-210588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-allentown","tag-allentown","tag-allentown-headlines","tag-allentown-news","tag-election","tag-local-news","tag-news","tag-politics","tag-top-stories-tmc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=210588"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/210588\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/210589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=210588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=210588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=210588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}