ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The seven Democrats seeking to represent the Lehigh Valley in Congress on Monday in downtown Allentown will talk to voters about the economy and rising costs.
Bob Brooks, Ryan Crosswell, Lamont McClure, Carol Obando-Derstine, Mark Pinsley, Aiden Gonzalez and Lewis Shupe all have agreed to participate in a candidates forum, according to Working Families Power, a progressive nonprofit.
All are seeking the Democratic nomination in the May 19, primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives 7th District.
Working Families Power is organizing the event alongside POWER Action Fund, Make the Road Action, PA-7 United, Transit for All PA and Lehigh Valley Stands Up.
“Costs are rising for the working class on everything from healthcare to housing, utilities and groceries. But corporations and the rich and powerful are doing better than ever."Working Families Power
The forum is set to start at 6 p.m. Monday at Resurrected Life Church, 620 Hamilton St. It will focus on affordability, economics and the rising cost of living.
“Costs are rising for the working class on everything from healthcare to housing, utilities and groceries,” Working Families Power said in a news release.
“But corporations and the rich and powerful are doing better than ever. It’s time for our elected officials to stand up for working families and fight to bring costs down for all of us.”
'Just perpetuates a cycle'
Panelists at a forum last month in Bethlehem highlighted the effects of rising costs for housing, groceries, healthcare and other essential needs.
East Penn School Board President Shonta Ford said rent and mortgage costs are leading to more “unstable” households.
And that leads to poorer academic performance and outcomes, according to Emily Gehman, vice president of Southern Lehigh School Board.
Brooks, Crosswell, McClure, Obando-Derstine, Pinsley, Gonzalez and Shupe are vying for the chance to face off against first-term Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent Pennsylvania’s Seventh District in Washington, D.C.
Headsets with live translation will be available at Monday’s forum for Spanish-speaking residents, according to organizers.
Mackenzie won the swing district by 1 percentage point in 2024, ousting three-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild by a margin of just over 4,000 votes.
