Pa. 7's Democratic Hopefuls Will Have Two Forums in Allentown This Week.

At this moment, there's no shortage of Democrats who wish to wear their party's mantle in this year's Pa. 7 race for the seat currently held by Republican Ryan Mackenzie. And for good reason. A blue wave was felt in last year's municipal races and Republican are in danger of losing the House and possibly the Senate in this year's midterms, and the Pa. 7 Congressional race is rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report. There are currently seven candidates, but that number might fall once nomination petitions are returned. 

These seven candidates are Robert Brooks, Ryan Crosswell, Aiden Alexander Gonzales,  Lamont McClure, Carol Obando-Derstine and Mark Pinsley and Lewis Shupe. 

You can see and hear from them yourselves on two separate occasions this week. 

Tonight, Resurrected Life Church (620 Hamilton St, Allentown, Pa 18101) will host a forum between 6 and 7:30 pm. Its focus is supposed to be the economy

Thursday. Muhlenberg College Democrats and LV Young Democrats will host a debate at The Great Room, Seegers Union (parking is at the loop and on Chew Street). Doors open at 6:30 pm.

I missed the first get together at Lafayette College because I thought it was private. But I will attend one of these events this week

SpotlightPA Chastises Congressional Candidate Brooks For Hypocrisy Regarding Stocks

In January, I wrote about the personal finances of the candidates who are seeking the Democratic nod in this year's Pa.7 Congressional race. I was really puzzled by the financial disclosure that candidate Robert Brooks filed, and said this: 

Robert Brooks. -  reports assets and unearned income of at least $963,000. This includes a residential rental property valued at between $250,000 and $500,000 and the stocks in multiple mutual funds.  He reports salaries of $20,000 from Bethlehem and $50,000 from the Pa Professional Firefighter's Ass'n, as well as business income of $15,000 from his lawn care business. 

He reports debt of between $380,000 and $850,000 based on a residential mortgage, an investment property mortgage, and outstanding debt to Darrell and Linda Crook. He failed to list a $130,000 judgment owed to Carol Wiley, his former mother-in-law, since 2022. 

A title search of Northampton County records reveal that Brooks owns no real estate under his own name, nor is there any recorded mortgage in which he is listed. 

Something is very fishy about Brooks' disclosure.

I am not the only one confused.  SpotlightPa has published a story that notes that, while Brooks likes to portray himself as a "working-class fighter" who is sick of Congressmen getting rich by trading stocks. But his disclosure reveals that he and his current wife have quite the portfolio. Here's an excerpt:

Of U.S. immigration law enforcement, Brooks writes in his campaign platform: “In America, we don’t send masked men to kidnap people off the street and throw them into unmarked cars. It’s bullshit and un-American.” Brooks’ wife owns up to $1,000 worth of stock in government contractor Palantir, a company co-founded by Republican megadonor Peter Thiel that provides technology to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to find and deport undocumented immigrants.

Regarding Americans staying healthy, Brooks writes: “No more lining the pockets of insurance and drug company bosses. Healthcare should work for people.” Brooks or his wife owns stock in several pharmaceutical and health insurance companies, including drugmaker AbbVie (up to $1,000), pharmaceuticals and medical products distributor Cardinal Health (up to $15,000), insurance company Elevance Health (up to $15,000) and insurance company Humana (up to $1,000), according to his financial disclosure.

In a statement to NOTUS, Brooks’ campaign manager Jenna Kaufman said Brooks has never personally traded stocks — the couple uses a professional investment management firm to steer their stock holdings, according to Brooks’ financial disclosure.

“Once in Congress, neither he nor his wife will own individual stocks,” said Kaufman, who did not answer questions about the couple’s personal investment philosophy or indicate whether Brooks and his wife would divest of their individual stock holdings in the meantime.

Among other stocks owned by Brooks or his wife: shares of Chevron, Meta, Nvidia and Tesla. Brooks and his wife together also own between $2,000 and $30,000 worth of stock in Amazon.com, which has faced accusations of illegal union busting and formal complaints alleging as much.

Brooks’ exact net worth is unclear, as congressional candidates are only required by law to list the values of their assets and liabilities in broad ranges, such as “$1,001 to $15,000” or “$50,001 to $100,000.”

Taken together, Brooks and his wife could be worth as little as about $148,000 and as much as $3.89 million, according to a NOTUS analysis of more than 220 individual assets and liabilities Brooks disclosed on Jan. 28.

Brooks' campaign refused to make him available for a SpotlghtPA interview.

There are three candidates who appear to have no stocks. One is Ryan Croswell, a Republican-turned-Democrat who moved into the Lehigh Valley for the express purpose of running for Congress. A second is Aiden Gonzalez. The third is incumbent Republican Ryan Mackenzie. 

McClure Leads Dems in Early Poll For Pa. 7 Congressional District

So far, four Democrats are seeking their party's nomination for next year's Pa.-7 congressional battle against incumbent Ryan Mackenzie. Lamont McClure was the first out of the gate. He even dropped plans to seek a third term as Exec, which means NorCo taxpayers will be spared from paying his salary as he runs for another office. Lehigh County taxpayers will be less lucky. Controller Mark Pinsley, who's always running for something, will continue to collect his salary as he spends his days on the campaign trail. There's also Carol Obando-Derstine, recruited to run by Sue Wild.  Ms. Wild was beaten by Mackenzie in last year's race. She apparently thinks that she, and not voters, decides the next Democratic nominee. Finally, there's Republican-recently turned-Democrat Ryan Croswell, a carpetbagger who just moved into the Lehigh Valley a month or so ago. Some goofy DC elitists, who think they know everything, put him up to it because they know what's best for us. Of these four announced candidates, only McClure has stood up for everyday Americans. Only McClure has consistently been a voice for organized labor. So it should come as no surprise that McClure leads in an early poll of the four candidates who've announced, and one who is still mulling it over. 

Public Policy Polling conducted a survey of 518 likely Dem voters on July 29-30 and included Bob Brooks. He's a retired Bethlehem firefighter who tells everyone he's running even though he has actually endorsed McClure. You can see it below. 

McClure leads all candidates with 23%, compared to 7% for Obando-Derstine and Pinsley, and just 3% for Croswell and Brooks. It's an early poll, with 58% undecided, but McClure has a strong lead among those who have made up their minds. 

Nearly a third (31%) of likely voters view McClure favorably, compared to just 16% for Pinsley, 11% for Obando-Derstine and a scant 6% for carpetbagger Croswell and Brooks. 

His lead is strongest in Northampton County, where he polls at 40%. 

Public Policy Polling Gives McClure Lead in Pa. 7 Race by BernieOHare on Scribd

Has Crosswell Crossed Us?

On Tuesday, I told you that a former federal prosecutor, Ryan Croswell, is seeking the Democratic nomination to the Pa. 07 Congressional seat currently held by Republican Ryan Mackenzie. At a time when everyone and his mother is running from the Democratic party; this lifelong Republican joined it in late December. His campaign committee (Croswell for Congress) lists an Allentown PO Box, although its unclear whether Croswell himself actually has moved into the district. His campaign treasurer, Jeremie McCubbin, lists an address in Tempe Az. McCubbin is actually a compliance consultant with Common Cents Solutions, a Democratic campaign finance compliance firm. 

Croswell resigned as a federal prosecutor in February after refusing to participate in the dismissal or public corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams. He portrays his campaign as a principled stand, in his own words, for "the rule of law" and to "defend our country." He pours it on some more with this: "[Trump] wanted me to break the code and ignore the law, and that’s something I would never do." 

He sounds very noble, doesn't he? But is he really?

The truth is that Croswell registered a congressional campaign committee website back on December 15, 2024, several months before Trump or Mackenzie had ever taken office. So at the time that Crosswell wrote his very principled resignation, he had already decided he was running for Congress somewhere. PunchbowlNews (subscription required) reports he's already raised $200,000. 

I doubt any of that money comes from the Lehigh Valley. 

While he now claims to be Trump's fiercest foe. "I may not have the power that Trump has forcibly seized for himself," he says of a Democratically elected President, "but that won't stop me from fighting against him again - with Honor, Courage," etc. 

And by the way, can you spare him a few bucks? Apparently, he needs to fight with Honor, Courage and Money, too. 

I agree with Easton Mayor Sal Panto. Crosswell is a fraud. He's also being played.

I see Susan Wild's fingerprints all over this. In her own first race, she recruited Roger Ruggles to run against John Morganelli for Congress, knowing that would dilute John's vote total in Northampton County. Now she's recruited a former prosecutor who thinks very highly of himself to run, but what she isn't telling him is that she hopes that with two men and one woman in a Democratic primary, the woman will win. 

Susan Wild Hand Picks Next Pa. 7 Congressperson - Susan Obando-Derstine

Former Pa. 7 Congress member Susan Wild was defeated by Ryan Mackenzie in the 2024 Presidential election. You could say that she was a victim of a red wave that swept away so many Democrats. But she hurt herself pretty badly when she insulted Carbon County voters for having turned into a "Trump Kool Aid" district, adding that she was "dismayed" at having to represent them. Well, she won't have to worry about doing that now, but incredibly still thinks that she knows better than everyone else what's best for them. While she has told media sources that she will sit out the 2026 Congressional race herself, she apparently thinks the next Democratic nominee must be someone she herself selects. Forget what the voters think. 

Shortly before Lamont McClure announced his own candidacy, she sent this text to people she considers her friends:

"Hi all. Some news here that I'm sharing with you and you may share with others (but please, not on social media yet). I will not be running for Congress next year.

"Life is just too good on the other side, and tbh, I think I can do more good right here in our community, supporting some of our wonderful organizations and a few good elected officials. Let me know of any opportunities to do good charitable work out there. I still will need to do some kind of income-producing work, but I also anticipate much more free time.

"Yay!

"But, I have a mission. I want to recruit a short list (or even one!) of quality candidate(s) to run against Ryan Mackenzie (and win!) I pledge to PERSONALLY coach said person, and open up my vast donor network to such a candidate. The ideal candidate will be female, preferably with a STEM background, no political experience needed (in fact, preferred not to be someone in politics). I and others will coach every step of the way.

"By STEM, I mean someone in medicine, science, engineering, manufacturing, or teaching of such subjects.

"I am only aware of one Dem who is going to announce shortly, a male elected official, who I do not think is the right person to win this important seat. I'll say no more than that.

"Please send me your ideas for candidates! I will personally reach out to them. My cell number, if you don't have it, is [redacted]. Thanks!"

(I added the boldface)

Wild was obviously miffed that McClure was going to run for the seat without first seeking her imprimatur. That probably explains why she snubbed him during MLK Day at Easton's Shiloh Church. This no doubt is why she endorsed Amy Cozze in the Exec race over Tara Zrinski, despite her telling Zrinski she would support her. You see, Cozze detests McClure as well. 

Wild incredibly thinks that Democrats are going to allow her to select their next nominee. Of course, she wants this person to be a female, as though being a member of the penis club automatically is disqualifying. 

Her offer to coach this candidate is downright laughable. Will she want this woman with a STEM background to insult Lehigh and Northampton County voters as well? Will she have her handpicked candidate park in handicapped spots, or drive while shooting a video with her dog running around inside her SUV?  Will she teach this person to rely on out of state donors as she did so she could thumb her nose at the people she is supposed to represent? 

Well, Wild has succeeded in drawing an interested candidate named Carol Obando-Derstine, a NJ transplant who moved here in 2003 and works for PPL as a systems engineer. She's a former staffer to former US Senator Bob Casey.

Don't get me wrong. Democrats should have a choice in deciding who is best suited to take on Mackenzie. But it is Democratic voters, and not Susan Wild, who should decide.

If I have one suggestion for Carol. Forget any coaching advice you get from Wild. 

Mackenzie Responds to Dellicker Attack in LV Congressional Race

On Monday, I published complaints that GOP Congressional candidate Kevin Dellicker recently made about primary opponent Ryan Mackenzie. Below is Mackenzie's response:

If the race for Congress in PA-7 weren’t so serious, I would find Kevin Dellicker’s rant of an email last week to be completely laughable. But his statements are either misleading or intentionally deceptive.

There is no doubt that I have very real policy disagreements with Mr. Dellicker. As an American, I’m concerned by the positions he took during this campaign and his failed run for Congress in 2022.  

Let’s start with Mr. Dellicker’s complaint about the endorsement I received from Americans For Prosperity (AFP). It seems Mr. Dellicker forgot that he sought AFP’s endorsement. Now that they rejected him, it appears he’s scorned and has chosen to attack AFP directly. Mr. Dellicker also did not mention that I have been endorsed by GOPAC, a conservative organization that has been supportive of President Trump.

The fact that AFP and GOPAC have both endorsed me and my proven, conservative record in the PA House shows I am the only candidate who can unite different factions of today’s Republican Party and am best situated to solidify the support of Republicans through the Primary and General Election.

Mr. Dellicker continued his rant by attacking me for being a dedicated public servant without a military background. It’s a disingenuous attack for him to make for two reasons.

First, let’s look at Mr. Dellicker’s own words from his book: “Don’t get me wrong. There are plenty of great ways to serve your country besides the armed forces… I have no patience for misguided veterans who disparage, disrespect, or denigrate non-veterans just because they never wore the uniform.”  This is evidence of an astonishing show of hypocrisy on his part because disparaging, disrespecting, and denigrating my proven and effective service as a conservative State Representative is exactly what Mr. Dellicker is doing.

Second, let’s look at Mr. Dellicker’s record:

• Dellicker is on his 3rd attempt at getting into elected office since 2014

• Dellicker spent the first 9 years of his career in government as a staff member to liberal Republicans in New York and Pennsylvania

• Dellicker claims to be an outsider, but he served as the “Chief Economic Policy Advisor” to the Ridge Administration in Harrisburg that gave the teachers’ union a 25% pension increase, costing taxpayers billions of dollars and driving school property taxes through the roof

• For the last 19 years, Dellicker’s consulting business has generated revenue from taxpayer-funded contracts from school districts and local governments (as per his own candidate financial disclosure) - making him a career government contractor personally profiting off taxpayers 

In contrast, as a representative elected by my neighbors, I have never voted for a tax increase. I also stood up to my own party to vote no to a gas tax increase, passed important legislation to address illegal immigration, voted for election security measures like Voter ID, and - yes - reformed the pension system that Dellicker broke. Clearly, my neighbors vote based on the belief that what someone does while working on their behalf is what’s most important. On this front, Mr. Dellicker’s record can only be called a failure.

Finally, I take deep offense to Mr. Dellicker twisting my significant differences with him over foreign policy into somehow saying that I am disparaging veterans. I respect the contributions of our veterans and military service members - like my father and grandfather - and Mr. Dellicker.  That is why I have a record of supporting veterans’ issues as a legislator, holding special “veterans services hours” in my offices, and authoring the law that created “Startups for Soldiers” - a successful program that has helped thousands of veterans across Pennsylvania as they start new businesses here in the state.

What are our differences on foreign policy? I am opposed to launching new forever wars. I support America First policy positions. By contrast, Mr. Dellicker routinely promotes new U.S. military engagements as a reaction to simmering tensions around the world. In the case of additional funding for the war in Ukraine, Mr. Dellicker has said, repeatedly and on-the-record, that he is supportive, while I am opposed.