Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley just became the fourth Democrat to officially enter the race for the PA-7 Congressional seat. Pinsley told one Democratic insider last week that he will be the “progressive” in the race. Others have told me he is hoping to garner support from “Make the Road,” and other Lehigh County progressive groups.

Pinsley becomes the second elected official and third Lehigh County based (allegedly) candidate in the race. He will attempt to consolidate the “Bernie crowd.” He has previously run for State Senate and Auditor General. Despite his progressive views, he has struggled in the past with earning union support.

I still expect Bob Brooks to enter and make it five. Very clearly, this field is not closing off and consolidating behind one candidate. We are looking at a crowded 2026 primary.

Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association President (IAFF) and retired Bethlehem Fire Fighter Bob Brooks will reportedly enter the race for Congress in the Lehigh Valley this week, according to a source in labor. He joins a field of three, with one more person reportedly about to enter. This primary is getting crowded.

Brooks has an excellent profile to run in this district, at least on paper. Every time I’ve ever seen it polled in Pennsylvania, fire fighters are the most overwhelmingly popular group tested. He has an authentically blue collar profile, which fits well trying to win over the district’s crucial swing voters. If he had come out months ago, one wonders if the field would be this crowded.

With that all said, I think this is a fool’s errand. No one knows who Brooks is right now, and there’s no reason to believe he’ll be the kind of fundraiser that Crosswell has been, on his own. Unless he can drive McClure out (he can’t), he’s not going to get enough votes out of his home county. He’s a very risky unknown as a first time candidate in a crucial seat. He claims some major people are backing him, or have promised to back him if he starts out well. Let’s see if they’re willing to not only endorse, and campaign for him, but also to raise him the kind of money he needs. Short of an insane investment from others, I see no path to victory.

I’ve decided to take down yesterday’s post. Two reasons:

1. I’m 10,000% sure the right audience read it. Like all of the right audience. So the point got made. No need to beleaguer the point.
2. The goal was to let the persons involved know I hear everything they say. They can’t talk freely and safely, even to their candidate.

The race is about the candidates, not some guy not working on the campaign. There will be much more where that came from. Now that I know I can make him mad, you can bank on it.