Josh Shapiro appears in six-figure ad buy for Bob Brooks, a firefighter running for Congress in the Lehigh Valley
Gov. Josh Shapiro's ad for Brooks is the latest example of how the governor will likely be wielding his unusual popularity to help Democrats in Pennsylvania ahead of November's high-stakes midterms.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro cut a TV ad on behalf of Bob Brooks, a Democrat running for Congress in the purple Lehigh Valley, ahead of next month’s high-stakes primary.
The ad featuring the governor will begin airing Wednesday, potentially giving a boost to Brooks as the May 19 primary approaches.
Brooks, a firefighter and union leader, is running to represent Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, which is currently held by freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.
The toss-up seat is one of four key districts in battleground Pennsylvania that are being targeted by both Democrats and Republicans.
Shapiro’s endorsement of Brooks last year and Wednesday’s ad — backed by a six-figure buy — is the latest example of how the governor, who is running for reelection in November, will likely be wielding his unusual popularity to help Democrats in the high-stakes midterms.
In the video, shared with The Inquirer, Shapiro can be seen standing next to and shaking hands with Brooks in a fire station. He says: “Republicans in Congress are hurting our families and we have to fight back. That’s why I’m supporting Bob Brooks for Congress.”
The ad also highlights other endorsements that Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, has received including from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, various labor unions, and the progressive Working Families Party.
Brooks will appear on May’s Democratic primary ballot alongside three other candidates — Lamont McClure, Carol Obando-Derstine, and Ryan Crosswell — vying to face Mackenzie in the fall.
“Having Governor Shapiro’s confidence is an honor I don’t take lightly,” Brooks said in a statement. “The Governor has shown time and again that he fights for working families and gets results.”
Shapiro appeared in ads last fall on behalf of the three state Supreme Court justices who won retention.
Democrats are hoping he can help lift congressional candidates across the state this year as he seeks reelection. Shapiro remains popular with a job approval rating of 56% as of a February Quinnipiac poll.
In addition to Mackenzie’s seat in the Lehigh Valley, Democrats are focusing their resources on seats held by Republican U.S. Reps Brian Fitzpatrick in Bucks County, Rob Bresnahan in Lackawanna County, and Scott Perry in York County as they seek to win back control of the U.S. House.