BETHLEHEM, Pa. — We’re less than a year-and-a-half away from the 2026 midterms, and the race for the Lehigh Valley’s congressional district already is heating up.
The candidates have raised millions, and are bolstering fundraising efforts in what likely will be one of the nation’s most expensive House races.
In mid-July, campaign finance reports showed Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie reinforced his coffers by a total of $801,145 over the previous three months.
Campaign finance reports showed Mackenzie’s main campaign account had $1.19 million on hand, about six months into his tenure.
This week’s Political Pulse takes a look at the money being thrown into the battleground district.
Four Democrats — Ryan Crosswell, Lamont McClure, Carol Obando-Derstine and Mark Pinsley — have officially launched campaigns so far, while stockpiling a total of nearly $470,000, according to host Tom Shortell.
That’s pretty far ahead of where the Republican field of challengers were this time last cycle, Shortell said, though this week’s episode was recorded prior to Pinsley entering the race.
Political scientist Chris Borick said it’s “the most vulnerable time” for Mackenzie in a “fairly vulnerable cycle,” while Shortell noted much of the funding bolstering Mackenzie (and other Republicans in their respective races) is coming from Republican leadership.
“They’re knowing where the money has to go and they’re finding it right now,” Borick said.
Watch this week’s episode in the player above to learn more about potential red flags in the PA-7 race, along with Borick’s discussion on early public polling, which asks voters if they’re voting Democrat or Republican in the upcoming race.
