A former Bethlehem firefighter and president of a statewide firefighters union will run as a Democrat for Congress next year, joining a crowded field seeking to challenge Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.
Bob Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, said in a news release that he is running for Congress “because Washington doesn’t give a damn about working people, and it’s time for that to change.”
“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, and 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, where he also criticized Mackenzie’s vote for the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which implements work requirements for Medicaid recipients and is estimated to cause 7.5 million people to lose their health care coverage.
According to a campaign news release, Brooks has received the support of prominent Democrats including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-17th District; and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. The International Association of Fire Fighters’ president and state director of the Service Employees International Union also have endorsed him.
“Working people need more voices in Congress, and today I am proud to endorse Bob Brooks,” Sanders said in a statement. “Bob is exactly the kind of leader we need in Congress. He has the guts to stand up to corporate greed and a corrupt political system to always fight for the working class.”
Brooks spent 20 years as a Bethlehem firefighter, according to his campaign, and in his 20s, worked a variety of odd jobs including dishwasher, bartender, landscaper, warehouse worker and pizza delivery driver. He also owns a small lawn care and snow removal business, Brooks Lawn Care.
Brooks’ entry brings the count of Democrats seeking to unseat Mackenzie up to five. Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure, former PPL Regional Affairs Director Carol Obando-Derstine, veteran and former Department of Justice prosecutor Ryan Crosswell and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley also are seeking the Democratic nomination.
In a statement, Mackenzie’s campaign spokesperson Arnaud Armstrong said that “none of the Democratic candidates have the leadership, experience or vision needed to unite voters and deliver for our communities.”
Reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at Liweber@mcall.com.
