Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) jumped into a crowded congressional primary late Sunday, endorsing firefighter union boss Bob Brooks in a race Democrats are targeting as a key midterm elections pickup.
Shapiro, who is rumored to be eyeing a 2028 presidential run, has been getting increasingly involved in his state’s congressional races, attempting to shape their outcome. There are four highly competitive House races in Pennsylvania, more than any other state in the country, and Democrats hope to flip them all.
Brooks, a retired Bethlehem firefighter and president of the state Professional Fire Fighters Association, is vying to become the Democratic challenger to Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), who represents Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, in 2026. Mackenzie’s victory last year was among the narrowest in the nation. He defeated the long-time Democratic incumbent, Susan Wild, by 4,000 votes. The state redrew its congressional map in 2022, and the race for the 7th District has been decided by less than 3 points each time.
Shapiro helped recruit Brooks and is headlining a fundraiser for him on Thursday in Philadelphia. Shapiro’s endorsement is part of the governor’s strategy to help his party win back control of the House.
Shapiro won his 2022 gubernatorial campaign by double digits and has become Pennsylvania‘s most popular politician by insisting that the government can still deliver for the people. Like other Democratic governors nationwide, Shapiro is trying to boost his party’s headcount in Congress. Some states, such as California and Virginia, are trying to do this by redistricting. However, in others, governors such as Shapiro are trying to push the most competitive candidates to the forefront. If Shapiro’s candidate wins, it would be a massive victory for the governor in the crucial swing state and could set him up for a 2028 White House run.
“I think he feels that he has an obligation to help Democrats get the majority back in the House,” Larry Ceisler, a Philadelphia-based public affairs executive who has known Shapiro for decades, told Axios. “If that helps him politically, that’s great too.”
Republicans have a 219-212 edge, with four vacancies. President Donald Trump has been able to enact his agenda on everything from taxes to immigration because the GOP controls the White House and both chambers of Congress. If Democrats flip the House, they could render Trump a lame duck during his last two years in office by blocking his legislation and launching congressional investigations.
In his primary, Brooks will face former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell, energy engineer Carol Obando-Derstine, outgoing Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, and Lehigh County controller Mark Pinsley.
Shapiro described Brooks as a person “who has spent his life running towards danger and showing up on our worst days to protect Pennsylvanians and keep our families safe.”
Brooks “is the fighter our friends and neighbors all across the Lehigh Valley deserve in Washington,” Shapiro said in a statement. “Throughout his career, Bob has worked hard for the men and women of organized labor — standing up for higher wages, better healthcare, and safer working conditions. Bob has always had my back — and I am proud to endorse him in this race and stand with him in the fight to make life more affordable and get stuff done for our communities.”
JOSH SHAPIRO LOOKS LIKE A POLITICIAN ABOUT TO ‘SHOOT HIS SHOT’
Brooks, who backed Shapiro in his 2022 gubernatorial bid, called the governor’s support “a powerful vote of confidence in our campaign.” Brooks has also earned endorsements from Lt. Gov. Austin Davis (D-PA), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, and other state officials and unions.
In July, Shapiro also endorsed former television anchor Janelle Stelson in her second bid against Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District.
