Lifelong Republican and Former Fed Prosecutor to Run For Congress (Pa. 7), But as a Democrat

A month ago, I told you that a lifelong Republican who worked as a federal prosecutor under Donald Trump 1.0 and 2.0 was considering a run for the Pa.7. congressional seat currently held by Ryan Mackenzie. 

Ryan Croswell is one of a bevy of DOJ lawyers who have resigned rather than do Donald Trump's bidding. His resignation accompanied a decision to drop a public corruption case against NYC's Mayor. He took what seems like a very principled stand, and I would ordinarily be happy to see someone like him run for Congress in Pa.7. It would be great to see a Republican with moral courage take on a Trump acolyte. Except for two things. First, Croswell has never lived in the Lehigh Valley, although he may have visited Allentown. Second, Croswell switched parties to Democrat just six months ago. 

Crosswell spent 4 years working for the Trump administration and voted as a Republican during the first four years Trump was in office. He continued voting as a Republican in the election Trump lost in 2020 and voted as a Republican in the election Trump won in 2024.

This possible Democratic candidate has a Republican voting history that stretches back to 2011, when he registered to in North Carolina. He registered as a Republican in Louisiana in 2014 and voted as such in the 2016 election. He continued voting as a Republican in the 2020 Presidential, 2022 midterm and in 2024. 

Mysteriously, on December 27 of last year, this long-time Republican suddenly switched parties to Democrat. He also moved to Allentown from wherever he was. 

Why?

I'm certainly suspicious about this sudden change of heart from a Marine veteran. It could very well be sincere. It could be a recognition that he thinks the easiest way to prevail in Pa. 7 is as a Democrat. But he could also be a stalking horse for Mackenzie with the goal of making sure that the remaining Democratic candidates - Lamont McClure and Carol Obando-Derstine - spend so much money that little will be left for the general.  

FEC records do not list him as a candidate, but he has announced his intentions to several news outlets. 

In a fundraising text he has already sent, Croswell paints himself as someone willing to stand up against Trump. 

I joined the Marine Corps after 9/11, and I learned the code of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

I kept that code during my time as a federal prosecutor under Presidents Obama, Biden, and Trump — until the day Donald Trump decided to weaponize the Department of Justice by asking the prosecutors in my section to drop a case against his political ally.

He wanted me to break the code and ignore the law, and that’s something I would never do.

𝗦𝗼 𝗜 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 — 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻, 𝗜 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸.

I testified publicly in a congressional hearing about the threat Donald Trump’s agenda poses to our justice system, the integrity of the federal government, and our democracy itself.

I may not have the power Trump has forcibly seized for himself, but that won’t stop me from fighting back against him again — with Honor, Courage, and a Commitment to the real people and families of Pennsylvania’s 7th.

In a news release, Congressional candidate Lamont McClure notes that “Ryan Crosswell is a lifelong Republican who has never lived in the Lehigh Valley. Even worse, Crosswell spent four years working for the Trump Department of Justice as they attacked civil rights, voting rights, and women’s rights — and only resigned to run for Congress. ... Ryan Crosswell isn’t running for Congress to help Pennsylvania families. He’s running to help himself.”

Congressional candidate Carol Obando-Derstine called Crosswell "a D.C.-backed Republican parachuting into this district."

Easton Mayor Sal Panto called Croswell a "fraud