Who's running in Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Ryan Mackenzie currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits; he voted for the extension and signed the discharge petition forcing a floor vote.
The Republican budget and tax agenda, including the 2025 reconciliation bill.
Direct constituent contact through in-person and telephone town halls.
Lower taxes and reduced federal spending.
Border security and immigration enforcement.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 7th District since January 2025; won the 2024 election by about 4,000 votes.
Pennsylvania state representative for twelve years before Congress.
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation bill containing the Medicaid reductions.
Voted in favour of extending the enhanced ACA premium tax credits and joined Democrats on the discharge petition that forced a floor vote on a three-year extension.
Endorsed for re-election by President Trump in May 2025 and again in November 2025.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed him for re-election twice and appeared on stage with him in the district.
— President Donald Trump
He broke with his party on health care subsidies, voting to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits and joining the discharge petition that forced the vote — which his campaign presents as evidence he votes the district rather than the leadership.
— The Mackenzie campaign, and WHYY's reporting on the Pennsylvania Republicans who broke ranks
Arguments against
Constituents have held weekly protests outside his Allentown office, branded "Mondays with Mackenzie," since his vote for the budget package containing the Medicaid reductions; hundreds rallied against the vote in March 2025.
— Lehigh Valley constituents organising the weekly protests, reported by LehighValleyNews.com and The Brown and White
EMILYs List says he cannot outrun a record of harming Pennsylvanians' health care, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee blames him with three other Pennsylvania Republicans for about 190,000 Pennsylvanians losing coverage as the enhanced tax credits expired.
— EMILYs List and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
What we couldn’t verify
The figure of 24,000 constituents said to lose coverage comes from his critics' analysis of the reconciliation bill and was not independently verified here.
How his later vote to extend the ACA tax credits weighs against his earlier vote for the reconciliation bill is a judgement for voters; both votes are recorded above.
His 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Pro-union legislation and workers' bargaining rights.
Blue-collar economic policy aimed at working-class households in the Lehigh Valley.
Protecting Medicaid and health coverage from federal cuts.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former firefighter in Bethlehem; president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary in a four-way field.
Has not held elected office.
Was the target of more than $1.2 million in late primary television advertising from a newly formed group linked to Republican operatives; the DCCC ran ads defending him.
Arguments in favor
He assembled a coalition unusual in a divided party, endorsed by both the left and the party's centre, and by the governor of Pennsylvania.
— Sen. Bernie Sanders, Gov. Josh Shapiro and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
Sanders said Republicans attacked him in the primary because he is the candidate they fear most, pointing to the outside money spent against him before he had even won the nomination.
— Sen. Bernie Sanders; Philadelphia Inquirer reporting on the primary advertising
Arguments against
He admitted to misspeaking after saying Governor Shapiro had asked his union to make endorsements in another race — a moment his primary rivals used to question how independent his candidacy is.
— His Democratic primary rivals, reported by Spotlight PA and PoliticsPA
The National Republican Congressional Committee calls him the Washington Democrats' handpicked choice and a "Bernie Bro," and says he dismissed the Republican no-tax-on-overtime policy as garbage.
— National Republican Congressional Committee
What we couldn’t verify
The NRCC has also published a claim that Brooks disparaged volunteer firefighters in crude terms. The quotation could not be verified against a primary source and Brooks's response was not located, so it is recorded here rather than presented as an argument.
The group that spent more than $1.2 million against him in the primary was described in reporting as new and opaque with ties to Republican operatives; its funders were not established.
His positions on questions outside health care and labour were not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Pennsylvania held its primary on May 19, 2026. Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie, who won this seat by about 4,000 votes in 2024, faces Bob Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters, who won a four-way Democratic primary. The district covers the Lehigh Valley — Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties and a sliver of Monroe — and is rated a toss-up. The Democratic primary drew more than $1.2 million in late television advertising from a newly formed group with ties to Republican operatives. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, Spotlight PA and City & State Pennsylvania.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Pennsylvania ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Pennsylvania Department of State.