Economic Concerns in Pennsylvania’s Seventh Congressional District

The area between Scranton and Allentown in Pennsylvania holds significant political importance with two swing districts that could influence control of the House. Voters in the region are voicing serious concerns about the economy.

The Lehigh Valley, including cities like Allentown, is experiencing notable demographic changes. Once known for its declining manufacturing sector, Allentown has now transformed. Development in logistics, biotech, and high-tech manufacturing is fueling an economic surge. This growth has brought about new businesses like boutique hotels and specialty coffee shops.

Despite these improvements, the rise in costs is affecting the working-class population. Brian Fasolino, a 28-year-old former military member, returned to Jim Thorpe, a town within the district. He found work installing piping systems but struggles to afford living independently of his parents. “I was kind of hoping that things didn’t change all that much, and boy was I wrong,” Fasolino remarked.

In 2024, the Seventh Congressional District shifted from Democratic to Republican representation. Democrats are hopeful that Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter and union representative, can win against the current Republican incumbent, Ryan Mackenzie. Brooks focuses on economic issues in his campaign. “I think they can see themselves in me,” Brooks stated, sharing that he once relied on food stamps and lived in public housing after losing his family’s home to a fire.