(The Center Square) – Two Democrats vying for their party’s nomination for the 7th Congressional District raised and spent nearly identical amounts over the month of April, while incumbent U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh, continued to add to his war chest for the general election.
According to campaign finance reports released last week, Ryan Crosswell, a former federal prosecutor, raised $125,263 from April 1 through April 29. Bob Brooks, a firefighters’ union leader, raised $124,931 during that same time period.
The pair of Democratic hopefuls also spent a similar amount last month. Crosswell’s campaign spent just under $405,000 in that 29-day stretch, while Brooks spent just over $415,000.
The latest filing was the final campaign finance report released prior to next week’s primary election.
While Brooks and Crosswell have led the fundraising race throughout the campaign, two other Democrats are also seeking their party’s nomination.
Carol Obando-Derstine, who worked as an aide to former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, raised just over $21,964.26 from April 1 through April 29, while Northampton County Lamont McClure raised $12,185. During that stretch, McClure’s campaign spent $155,000, while Obando-Derstine spent just under $55,000.
Of the four candidates running for the Democratic Party nod, Crosswell had the most cash on hand entering the final weeks of the primary election. As of April 30, Crosswell’s campaign had just over $435,000 on hand, while Brooks had just over $250,000. McClure’s campaign had just over $140,000 on hand one day before the beginning of May, while Obando-Derstine had $95,000.
Crosswell has raised the most of the Democratic candidates throughout the primary election. Since he announced his candidacy in June 2025, Crosswell has raised $1.75 million. Brooks has raised $1.17 million since he entered the race in late August.
Obando-Derstine, who announced her candidacy in May 2025, raised $565,000 over the past year. That total includes a $32,500 loan she gave to her campaign, however.
McClure’s campaign has raised just under $515,000 since he announced his intentions for the seat in late February 2025. That total also includes a $200,000 loan that he gave to his campaign.
The winner of the closely watched Democratic primary election in the Lehigh Valley will take on Mackenzie for the battleground seat in the fall. Mackenzie, a freshman GOP lawmaker, will be the only Republican candidate on the primary ballot.
As the Democrats tussle for the party nod, Mackenzie has continued to add to his fundraising advantage in preparation of the general election.
From April 1 through April 29, Mackenzie’s campaign raised just over $240,000 and spent just under $105,000. He’s raised $3.82 million in the 2026 election cycle-to-date.
As of April 30, Mackenzie holds a sizable cash-on-hand advantage over the Democrats aiming to unseat him. His campaign had $2.59 million just one day before the month of May.
The next fundraising quarter will close on June 30, with July 15 serving as the filing deadline for candidates.
Mackenzie was in a much different position in the fundraising race at a similar point during the 2024 election cycle. In early April, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, had $2.66 million on hand, while Mackenzie, who was in a crowded race for the GOP nomination, had just over $115,000 on hand.
Mackenzie defeated Wild by a roughly 4,000-vote margin in 2024, which was the closest congressional contest in the state that cycle.
After Republicans flipped the seat red last cycle, Democrats are hoping to flip the seat back to blue in 2026.
The Cook Political Report, a national ratings outlet, describes Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District as a “rare true swing seat.” The race for the seat is a “toss up,” according to the Cook Political Report, Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections.
