Pennsylvania\u2019s top Democrat, Gov. Josh Shapiro, has endorsed\u00a0Bob Brooks, a former Bethlehem firefighter running to be the Democratic nominee for Congress in the Lehigh Valley next year.<\/p>\n
In a news release, Shapiro called Brooks \u201cthe fighter our friends and neighbors all across the Lehigh Valley deserve in Washington.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need Bob in Congress to be my partner in delivering for Pennsylvanians,\u201d Shapiro said in a written statement. \u201cBob has always had my back \u2014 and I am proud to endorse him in this race and stand with him in the fight to make life more affordable and get stuff done for our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brooks is one of five Democrats<\/a> seeking the nomination in 2026. Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure, former PPL executive Carol Obando-Derstine, former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley also are running in the May Democratic primary.<\/p>\n The Democrats all are vying to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, who ousted Susan Wild from office last year and is running for a second term.<\/p>\n Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, announced his bid for the seat in August<\/a>. On the campaign trail, he has drawn upon his working class background and career in firefighting to make the case that he would advocate for working people if elected.<\/p>\n Brooks also has also secured endorsements<\/a> from national progressive figures including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-17th District; and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. The International Association of Fire Fighters\u2019 president and state director of the Service Employees International Union also have endorsed him.<\/p>\n However, not all local Democrats have thrown their support behind Brooks, shaping up what will likely be a competitive Democratic primary.<\/p>\n Obando-Derstine is backed by Wild<\/a>, and was endorsed this month by a slate of Latina politicians<\/a>. McClure, who did not seek reelection as executive, has the backing of other prominent elected officials including Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong.<\/p>\n