Politico has reported that Governor Josh Shapiro has endorsed former firefighter Robert Brooks in the crowded Dem Congressional primary race for Pa.-7. It makes sense that, as a potential Presidential contender, he'd want as many Democrats in the House as Pennsylvania can elect. But it makes little sense for him to inject himself into a Democratic primary that already has five candidates. His endorsement is far more likely to net him enemies than friends.
His selection of Brooks is particularly puzzling.
Not that long ago, Brooks was portraying himself as a Clint Eastwood who would make any Trumper proud. It's not every day that a Democratic congressional candidate posts a meme that also includes a skull with a Roman numeral III. This signifies the three percenters, a militia movement that advocates resistance to perceived government abuses.
Strange as it may seem, Brooks originally supported Congressional candidate Lamont McClure and even sent out text messages calling McClure a "strong Democrat with a proven track record of putting out fires and a long history of standing up to corruption."
Then there's the matter of him screwing his in-laws. In 2008, his in-laws transferred a residential property to him and his then wife and even fronted the cost of subdividing the property to the tune of $55,000. Brooks promised to pay the money back but never did. He was sued, and a $130,000 award was entered against him in 2020. In an effort to string things along, he appealed but lost in a unanimous Pennsylvania Superior Court ruling. In 2022, judgment was entered against him for $130,000.
That judgment remains open of record.
After screwing over his in-laws, he and his wife eventually parted ways, with a divorce being granted in 2018. He finally quitclaimed his interest in the property to his ex-wife in 2022, although he still may live there. Before that happened, two foreclosure actions were filed against him. And he was sued by two credit card companies. He currently owns no real estate.
He's a "man" who screwed over his own family and who dropped a candidate he said he supported. And although he pretended to be a Clint Eastwood type of guy, he's now pretending to be a Bernie Sanders type of guy.
Did Shapiro even vet this guy?
10:15 AM Update: According to Rich Wilkins, the Shapiro endorsement is all about the firefighters' union and their money. "[T]he IAFF is really damn good at politics. When the IAFF backs a candidate for President, that candidate usually wins the Democratic nomination, at a minimum. The Governor wants the IAFF to support him in future campaigns, such as for Governor in 2026 and for President in 2028, and let’s be honest, one is more critical right now than the other. It’s very clear this is why this endorsement is happening, and anyone saying otherwise is a liar."
47 comments:
Shapiro just showed his decision-making process is not presidential. (But then we have tRUMP).
How does a judgement issued against Brooks in favor of his in laws square up to Croswell's decision to quit the justice department after standing up for judicial ethics and refusimg to drop a case?
None of that personal stuff matters. He's a Democrat with a pulse, so if he gets the nomination, he will win in 2026.
Brooks issued a statement about the Jewish murders and then deleted it and rewrote it sans any mention of Jews. He's a solid Democrat for today's Democratic Party. Be proud Brooks, you cowardly nazi. What a disgrace.
Bob “Crooksy” Brooks is like one of those penguins that steals other penguins eggs.
IMO Crooksy is on step above a street thief. He steals from his family, his co-workers and his friends.
Shapiro only gave his endorsement to Bob the Builder because he wants the fireman’s endorsement when he runs for president. He should’ve given his endorsement to the most experienced candidate. Lamont McClure is the ONLY one who has been in politics before as opposed to all the others who have no experience whatsoever. Bob the Builder doesn’t even have experience at the municipal level! Since Shapiro wants to be an endorsement whore, Gavin Newsom will have my vote if they run for president together, there is no way I would vote for somebody who would endorse a candidate with absolute zero experience. And Bob the Builder thinks he could just take his tool belt off and then walk into Congress and know what he is doing?! That’s like asking some guy off the street to put out your house fire with a water gun! This is pretty wild to me .
Is this the same Brooks???? And what is Shapiro doing???
https://freebeacon.com/democrats/dem-house-candidate-offers-condolences-to-australias-jewish-community-only-to-delete-the-statement-and-replace-it-with-a-message-that-omits-jews/
Shapiro wants to be President. Brooks is the Firefighters state union President. Shapiro wants the Firefighters endorsement for President. (He’d endorse a verifiable bum to get it.)
Ol' Crooksie up to no good again
Interesting. I was hoping for your views on this, and what I got was a hit piece. This confirms you’ll be pushing Lamont all the way. It’s your blog so it’s your right I guess. I just think he’s not a very good candidate. I don’t know much about this Brooks guy but I’ll give him a look.
Doesn't surprise me- since Shapiro & Brooks are both phonies.
I don't get Shapiro's appeal, at all. Prior to being elected AG, he was never in a courtroom, and went after the Catholic Church. As Governor, he's arrogant and very left-wing. Not an attractive candidate at all, but he's coddled by the Unions & Media.
Rich Wilkins the 8th or something has a pretty in-depth analysis of what’s happening here on Apocalypse Now or some blog he has.
I hear Susan Wild is pissed about this !
Brooks is terrible!
It's pretty dumb on Shapiro's part, especially since Brooks has a lot of baggage and is going to get torn apart over his conflicting positions (his attempts to portray himself as both a Trumper and socialist) as well as the way he stiffed his own family. He is actually still living in his ex's house, I believe. And there are fellow firefighters who claim he stole their lawn businesses. Not a nice guy. Shapiro should have stayed out of a 5-way. He has only made enemies.
Croswell is the pick of DC insiders. He is not from this area and only recently became a Democrat. I do not trust him and believe he "quit" because he intended to run for Congress.
Do you have a link?
so is McClure
Found it. https://therichwilkins.com/2025/12/15/the-governors-endorsement-of-crooksy-is-all-about-2028-politics/
Both Brooks & Shapiro are terrible!
McClure is the ONLY one who has been in politics before??? Um Marc Pinsley has been elected countywide twice in Lehigh County.
Shapiro's endorsements mean very little- he campaigned heavily & endorsed Ann Thomas for State Rep. and she got pummeled!
Shapiro's true colors have been exposed!
LOL! go away Lamont!
If you rearrange the letters in his name you get Boobs Bork. Hence, it makes sense that the commonwealth's chief naboob would endorse a borking boob.
Nice try Shapiro. Most rank and file cops and firefighters hate Ds. The firefighters I know pay their bills and respect their families. The really funny part is Lamont floundering like the stuffed flounder he is. Losing an endorsement to a deadbeat liar is delicious.
How in the world can a subdivision cost $ 55,000 ? Bernie , was this a typo ?
It is not a typo. I believe it was a minor sub. https://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Superior/out/J-A19017-21o%20-%20104904294147403631.pdf?cb=1
He had to put down the scotch rocks to post that lol!
Makes sense!
This exposes what I've been saying about Sleazy Shapiro since he 1st ran for AG- he's an arrogant lightweight!
It’s good to see that Shapiro could pull himself away from stealing over $1 million from the taxpayers (to improve his PERSONAL residence) long enough that he found the time to make an endorsement in a federal race.
It’s almost like he’s barely involved in running the state government. Kind of explains why it took 5 months to get a budget passed.
For some unknown reason, Shapiro is full of himself. He, like Newsome, Whitmer, etc. have their eye on the White House. He couldn't care less about Pa. unless it has to do with a Union.
Shapiro knows how to play to the camera- but his judgment sucks!
I would be interested to know this candidate's qualifications for Congress. Endorsed by the same Governor whose policies are foisting data centers on the backs of the taxpayers in the Lehigh Valley.
Shapiro as AG made it clear he was planning to set himself up for a presidential run. Every move he makes us calculated. Its all about him. I pray he nor Newsom becomes president
I bet you’ll “suspect” every person in the primary of some nefarious intent unless their name is McClure lol. It’s so obvious.
I don’t get you sometimes Bernie. You hate Trump yet you kiss Lamont’s ass.
I got news for you Bernie. Ryan wants Lamont to be his opponent. Brooks is the only shot Dems have at seat. So what about a few Facebook posts. It’s almost like you want Mackenzie to win.
If he's the nominee, he'd be a gift to Republicans, just like Mastriano was to phony Shapiro.
He's a loser, he has none!
I've said Shapiro isn't that sharp, this endorsement proves it!
McClure is BO's boy. Their bromance is strong. McClure is called the local Trump for a reason. It's his way or the highway. He wasn't even able to work with local elected democrats on council unless he bought them. can you see him in the Washington House, they will quickly read him for the narcist he is and he will be powerless. He is unable to build coalitions; he can only buy them like tampons.
Sorry boys, but he will not be the nominee for real democrats who want someone with the ability to work with people and also has a personality. Not a Trump clone in democrat clothes.
Qualifications for Congress? He isn't nicknamed 'Crooksie' for no reason.
Brooks hasn't any chance.
So true! He will have something bad to say about every person in the primary lol.
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