High-profile Dems back veteran firefighter and union leader for Lehigh US House seat

Local and national Democrats are lining up behind Bob Brooks in one of the most high-profile Congressional races from 2026.  

Democrats and union leaders across Pennsylvania are rallying behind Bethlehem firefighter Bob Brooks, who officially launched his campaign to unseat Republican US House Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) on Tuesday. 

“Brooks is exactly the kind of person you hope shows up when trouble calls,” US Rep. Chris Deluzio said in a statement. “From starting out as a fry cook and dishwasher to his career as a Bethlehem firefighter and his tenure leading the Professional Fire Fighters Association, he knows what it means to put others before himself.”

Brooks spent 20 years serving as a firefighter and worked his way up the ladder as a shift representative for his local union to eventually become the president of the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association, which represents 8,000 members across the commonwealth. 

“I’ve spent my life serving my community and living the challenges of regular people, whether it was behind the bar pouring beers or behind the wheel of the fire truck putting out fires in Bethlehem. I know personally what it’s like to live in fear of foreclosure or see your paycheck eaten away by higher prices,” Brooks said in a statement. 

Mackenzie, a former state representative, defeated Congresswoman Susan Wild by 4,000 votes in last year’s election, and Democrats are looking to retake the seat after the freshman Republican voted for a $1 trillion Medicaid that will kick 26,000 constituents off of their healthcare. 

Earlier this year, US Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) rallied thousands of Mackenzie’s constituents on his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, and in a statement endorsing Brooks, Sanders cited his working class credentials and selfless service.

“[Brooks] is exactly the kind of leader we need in Congress,” Sanders said. “He has the guts to stand up to corporate greed and a corrupt political system to always fight for the working class. [Brooks] has had a lot of jobs – firefighter, cook, landscaper, baseball coach, union president – he knows how hard people work, and how we need real change.”

In addition to Sanders and Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio, Brooks was also endorsed by Lt. Gov. Ausin Davis, former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, and 20 other Democrats serving in the Pennsylvania House and Senate. He’s also secured the endorsements of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ. 

One of Brooks’ crowning achievements was helping lead the fight to pass mental health coverage for firefighters and first responders struggling with post traumatic stress injuries (PTSI).

“In Harrisburg, he’s been a true partner to the Shapiro-Davis administration – leading the charge to raise wages, improve working conditions, and secure needed mental health care for first responders struggling with PTSD,” Davis said in a statement. “[Brooks] is the kind of working-class leader we don’t see enough of in Washington – he’ll lead with grit, heart, and an unwavering commitment to the people who keep our state running.”