Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association (PPFFA) President Bob Brooks has won the Democratic nomination for the state’s 7th Congressional District. A longtime IAFF leader, Brooks won the crowded primary by more than 20 points. He will now face Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in the general election this November.
“This is a victory for every person across our community who has felt left behind, is tired of a broken Washington and is ready to send more working-class voices to Congress to fight for us,” Brooks said as he celebrated his victory with supporters.
Brooks has spent more than 20 years serving his Eastern Pennsylvania community. He became deeply involved in IAFF Local 735 early on in his career, having held the positions of roster duty chairman, trustee, vice president, secretary-treasurer, and ultimately, president.
This is a victory for every person across our community who has felt left behind, is tired of a broken Washington and is ready to send more working-class voices to Congress to fight for us.
PPFFA President and Democratic nominee bob brooks
“Bob Brooks exemplifies what it means to be a fire fighter – a tough, pragmatic problem solver who’s deeply committed to serving his community,” said General President Edward Kelly. “He knows what it means to fight for working families, and his victory is proof of that.”
In 2021, Brooks was elected president of the PPFFA. Under his leadership, the association has built strong relationships with state lawmakers and advanced legislation to improve fire fighter health and safety.
Bob Brooks exemplifies what it means to be a fire fighter – a tough, pragmatic problem solver who’s deeply committed to serving his community. He knows what it means to fight for working families, and his victory is proof of that.
General President Edward Kelly
“I spent 20 years running into burning buildings as a Bethlehem firefighter because nothing is more important to me than protecting the community I love,” said Brooks.
Brooks jumped into the race in August of last year, immediately receiving the IAFF’s endorsement and backing from FIREPAC.
Throughout the campaign, he earned endorsements from prominent federal, state, and local leaders – including Gov. Josh Shapiro, Lt. Governor Austin Davis, longtime Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Representatives Chris Deluzio, Ro Khanna, and Val Hoyle.
Dozens of IAFF members from across the region also came to Pennsylvania to hit the campaign trail. Fire fighters from Northern New Jersey, Rhode Island, Indiana, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and other states were all on the ground to support Brooks.
“Fire fighters know the difference between somebody who talks about working people during a campaign and somebody who’s actually been there with us through hard contracts, tough calls, and bad days in the fire house,” Professional Fire Fighters of Indiana Vice President Hank Harris said. “That’s why we showed up for Bob.”
For Noah Craven, President of Warwick, Rhode Island Fire Fighters Local 2478, the decision to travel to Pennsylvania for his union brother was an easy one.
“This wasn’t about party politics for us. We drove five hours to Bethlehem because Bob Brooks has spent the better part of 20 years standing with fire fighters and working families,” Craven said. “In our union, you show up for the people who are willing to show up for you.”
Pennsylvania’s 7th District is considered one of the most competitive in the nation, with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rating it as a “toss-up”. Brooks is running on a platform centered on lowering costs for families, ensuring access to universal healthcare, and prioritizing the needs of workers.
“It’s time to send one of us [workers] to Congress to actually fight for our families and make life more affordable,” said Brooks. “In November, we’re going to get the job done.”
