The region spanning from Scranton to Allentown in Pennsylvania holds the potential to influence control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Voters in this area are facing significant economic challenges.
The Lehigh Valley, which includes cities like Allentown, is becoming increasingly diverse. The district, known as Pennsylvania’s Seventh Congressional District, features cities experiencing growth through sectors like logistics, biotech, and high-tech manufacturing. This growth, however, has led to an increase in living costs, impacting the working-class residents.
Brian Fasolino, a 28-year-old who returned to Jim Thorpe after six years in the military, shared his concerns. He secured a job installing piping systems but finds it challenging to afford moving out of his parents’ house. “I was kind of hoping that things didn’t change all that much, and boy was I wrong,” he said.
The Seventh District, which switched from Democratic to Republican representation in 2024, is a focal point for Democrats hoping to regain control. They are supporting Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter and union representative, as their House candidate. Brooks aims to resonate with voters through his experience of economic hardship, having used food stamps and lived in public housing as a teenager. “I think they can see themselves in me,” Brooks stated, emphasizing his connection with constituents facing similar struggles.