Bob Brooks, Labor Leader Backed by Top Democrats, Wins Pennsylvania House Primary

"Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter and union leader who amassed support from both moderates and liberals, won the Democratic primary on Tuesday in a battleground district in Pennsylvania, according to The Associated Press. Mr. Brooks will face Representative Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican, in a general election contest in a Lehigh Valley district north of Philadelphia that is anticipated to be one of the most competitive in the country this fall."

"Mr. Brooks earned the endorsements of both outsider progressives, such as Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, as well as the establishment, including Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. His campaign was seen as one of the most prominent efforts by the party this year to elevate working-class candidates at a time when Democrats have been accused of losing touch with everyday Americans."

"Despite his broad base of support, Mr. Brooks faced a crowded primary. His opponents included Lamont McClure, a former county executive; Ryan Crosswell, a former federal prosecutor; and Carol Obando-Derstine, an engineer. Mr. Crosswell raised $1.7 million, while Mr. McClure's campaign was bolstered by a late push from a super PAC with ties to Republicans, in an apparent effort to help the candidate Republicans believed would be easiest to defeat in the fall."

"Mr. Brooks, who leads a prominent Pennsylvania firefighters' union and runs a lawn care and snow removal business, has emphasized his working-class background throughout his campaign. He generated controversy when he told a group of college students that Mr. Shapiro had asked Mr. Brooks's union to back a Republican candidate for state treasurer rather than her Democratic opponent, who had criticized Mr. Shapiro. The comment, reported by Axios, prompted Mr. Brooks to backtrack and Mr. Shapiro to deny the claim."

Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter and union leader, won the Democratic primary in a Pennsylvania battleground district. He will face Representative Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican, in a general election in a Lehigh Valley district north of Philadelphia expected to be among the most competitive races nationally. Brooks received endorsements from both outsider progressives and establishment Democrats, including Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. His campaign focused on working-class roots and was viewed as a major effort to elevate working-class candidates. The primary included several challengers, with Ryan Crosswell raising $1.7 million and Lamont McClure benefiting from a late super PAC push tied to Republicans. Brooks also faced controversy after comments about a union backing decision involving Shapiro, which Shapiro denied.

Read at www.nytimes.com