{"id":320807,"date":"2026-11-04T06:40:26","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T06:40:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/320807\/"},"modified":"2026-11-04T06:40:26","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T06:40:26","slug":"pa-7th-congressional-district-election-results-brooks-defeats-mackenzie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/320807\/","title":{"rendered":"PA 7th Congressional District election results: Brooks defeats Mackenzie"},"content":{"rendered":"

Democrat Bob Brooks rode the wave of voter dissatisfaction over President Donald Trump to declare victory in the hotly contested 7th Congressional District election against incumbent Republican Ryan Mackenzie.<\/p>\n

The Associated Press called the race in Brooks\u2019 favor around 10:30 p.m.; with 80% of votes counted, he had a more than 30,000-vote lead over Mackenzie, according to unofficial results.<\/p>\n

In a victory speech delivered at ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem, Brooks played up his working-class roots, sharing the stage with family members and colleagues from the International Association of Fire Fighters. Several members from that union and other labor organizations were on hand to cheer him on.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly a tiny sliver of Congress comes from the working class,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd you can say you stand with working people all you want, but if you\u2019ve never lived their life, you\u2019ve never lived the struggle firsthand. It\u2019s like coaching a sport you\u2019ve never played \u2014 you might know the rules, but you don\u2019t know the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

In an interview with The Morning Call following his concession speech at Hyatt Place in Upper Macungie Township, Mackenzie attributed Democrats\u2019 success to the time-honored trend of backlash to the president during midterm elections.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pendulum swings against the party that has the White House every midterm,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Asked if he thought opposition to Trump\u2019s policies specifically factored in, he said that will be determined \u201crace by race,\u201d whether or not Republican candidates who were more vocally opposed to Trump prevailed in their races, versus those who aligned themselves more closely with his agenda.<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Republican<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Supporters<\/p>\n

Supporters of Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie watch the results come in Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown. Mackenzie faced Democratic challenger Bob Brooks in the 7th Congressional District in what was one of the most-watched races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Supporters<\/p>\n

Supporters of Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie watch the results come in Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown. Mackenzie faced Democratic challenger Bob Brooks in the 7th Congressional District in what was one of the most-watched races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Supporters<\/p>\n

Supporters of Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie watch the results come in Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown. Mackenzie faced Democratic challenger Bob Brooks in the 7th Congressional District in what was one of the most-watched races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Supporters<\/p>\n

Supporters of Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie watch the results come in Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown. Mackenzie faced Democratic challenger Bob Brooks in the 7th Congressional District in what was one of the most-watched races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Supporters<\/p>\n

Supporters of Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie watch the results come in Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown. Mackenzie faced Democratic challenger Bob Brooks in the 7th Congressional District in what was one of the most-watched races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Supporters<\/p>\n

Supporters of Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie watch the results come in Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown. Mackenzie faced Democratic challenger Bob Brooks in the 7th Congressional District in what was one of the most-watched races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Supporters<\/p>\n

Supporters of Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie watch the results come in Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown. Mackenzie faced Democratic challenger Bob Brooks in the 7th Congressional District in what was one of the most-watched races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Supporters<\/p>\n

Supporters of Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie watch the results come in Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown. Mackenzie faced Democratic challenger Bob Brooks in the 7th Congressional District in what was one of the most-watched races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

\"Supporters<\/p>\n

Supporters of Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie watch the results come in Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown. Mackenzie faced Democratic challenger Bob Brooks in the 7th Congressional District in what was one of the most-watched races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 19<\/p>\n

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a>
\n\"RepublicanRepublican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie addresses supporters Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at his Election Day watch party at Hyatt Hotel in Allentown after being defeated in the 7th Congressional District race. Democratic challenger Bob Brooks won the Lehigh Valley-based seat in what was one of the most-watched U.S. House races in the country. (Jonathan Broady\/Special to The Morning Call)<\/p>\n

Mackenzie, for his part, largely supported Trump\u2019s agenda, although he broke with a majority of Republicans to support an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to extend Obamacare health insurance subsidies.<\/p>\n

Mackenzie, running for his second term representing the district, faced a formidable challenge from Brooks, a former Bethlehem firefighter and president of the Pennsylvania Fire Fighters Association. He centered his campaign on his record and perceived legislative wins from Republicans, while Brooks highlighted his working-class roots and criticized Mackenzie\u2019s support for Trump.<\/p>\n

At Brooks\u2019 election night party at ArtsQuest, the mood was jovial as many watched the election results from CNN being shown on a big screen. Many smiled as Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s reelection was announced, along with other Democratic victories.<\/p>\n

Shortly before 10 p.m., Brooks made his way through a standing-only crowd to the song \u201cEnter Sandman\u201d by Metallica, hugging several supporters, including Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk.<\/p>\n

Brooks credited his family for putting up with a negative campaign that featured personal and political attacks. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight, the people of the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos looked at all the negativity and the hate and said \u2018pound sand,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

When he enters the U.S. House of Representatives in January, Brooks said he has four key legislative priorities, including banning congressional stock trading, stopping corporate PAC money, implementing term limits and releasing the full Epstein files.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we\u2019re going to fix DC, we\u2019ve got to put the fire out first,\u201d Brooks said.<\/p>\n

Mackenzie did not mention Brooks in his five-minute speech, where he told a crowd of over 100 supporters, \u201cwe did not get the result we were looking for this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

He thanked the supporters, volunteers, staff and interns who worked for his campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201dThe message to all of you is that we should feel very good about what we were able to do for the people of the Lehigh Valley,\u201d Mackenzie said.<\/p>\n

He highlighted some of his perceived legislative wins, which include resolving 11,000 constituent service cases and bringing tens of millions of dollars in grants to the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere will be brighter days ahead, there will be more elections to run, there will be more results in our favor, and there will be more opportunities to serve our community,\u201d Mackenzie said.<\/p>\n

Afterward, Mackenzie told The Morning Call it is \u201ctoo soon to tell\u201d what is next for him once he leaves office.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe obviously still have two months left in this term, so that is what we are going to be focused on for now,\u201d he said. \u201cAfter that, we will see what happens going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Past elections in the Lehigh Valley district have had razor-thin margins: Mackenzie ousted former Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild by only 4,000 votes, or just one percentage point. The 7th District includes all of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties and part of Monroe County.<\/p>\n

Tuesday\u2019s election, however, was much more decisive. With 80% of votes counted, Brooks led Mackenzie by double digit percentage points.<\/p>\n

The election followed a highly contentious campaign between the two candidates. Most notably, Brooks, citing \u201cderanged attacks\u201d from Mackenzie\u2019s campaign, backed out of a debate with his opponent just two days before it was scheduled.<\/a><\/p>\n

Mackenzie publicly called Brooks a \u201ccon-man\u201d and \u201cnut job,\u201d citing a now-settled lawsuit between his former in-laws and other reports in right-wing news outlets that accuse the Democrat of violating laws via his former business ventures, which Brooks has denied.<\/p>\n

Brooks, for his part, called Mackenzie a \u201clap dog\u201d to Trump and accused the Republican of failing to stand up for everyday people.<\/p>\n

Brooks won a competitive four-way Democratic primary, with Shapiro\u2019s support, to win the Democratic nomination in May.<\/p>\n

Mackenzie is a former six-term state representative from Lehigh County.<\/p>\n

At Brooks\u2019 watch party, Tuerk said the voters he encountered around Allentown were frustrated with Trump\u2019s policies.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been surprised by how many people I have seen, spending time in a few different parts of the city, that are frustrated with Trump\u2019s policies,\u201d Tuerk said. \u201cIt\u2019s the foreign wars that are hurting our prices.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Allentown\u2019s high Latino population, Tuerk said many also were frustrated by immigration policies.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Immigration enforcement] might not have shown up in the city, but [voters] certainly are paying attention,\u201d Tuerk said.<\/p>\n

One thing that surprised Tuerk was the number of Republicans he talked to who crossed over on the ballot. He said Allentown voters were focusing less on party affiliation and more on which candidate would improve conditions for their families and children.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey told me they\u2019re \u2018going blue all the way down the mountain,\u2019 \u201d Tuerk said. \u201cWhich was really a shocker to hear. I didn\u2019t think we\u2019d hear that.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Democrat Bob Brooks rode the wave of voter dissatisfaction over President Donald Trump to declare victory in the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":320808,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[153,155,154,5523,836,433,182,883,2941,139,434,28,29,50,432],"class_list":["post-320807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem-headlines","tag-bethlehem-news","tag-carbon-county","tag-election","tag-lehigh-county","tag-local-news","tag-local-politics","tag-monroe-county","tag-news","tag-northampton-county","tag-pennsylvania","tag-pennsylvania-news","tag-politics","tag-top-stories-tmc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320807","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=320807"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320807\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/320808"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=320807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=320807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=320807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}