Bob Brooks

Bob Brooks is the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 7th District. He worked as a Bethlehem firefighter from 2005 to 2025 and has been president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association since 2021. He won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary, and his campaign describes a focus on affordability, health care and opposition to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.[1][2]

According to his campaign website, Brooks was raised primarily by a single mother who worked as a bartender, and he moved to Pennsylvania more than 30 years ago.[3] The site says that before becoming a firefighter he held jobs including dishwasher, short-order cook, bartender, landscaper, warehouse worker, pizza delivery driver and Teamster.[3]

Brooks worked as a firefighter in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, from 2005 to 2025 and retired from the department in 2025.[1][3] He held multiple positions in his firefighters' union and was elected president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association in 2021.[1][3] According to his campaign website, he helped lead a campaign to pass mental health coverage for firefighters with post-traumatic stress.[3] In 2013 he started Brooks Lawn Care, a snow removal and lawn care business.[1][3]

Brooks has coached youth and varsity baseball at Nazareth Area High School, and according to his campaign website he lives in Nazareth with his wife, Jen.[1][3] He announced his candidacy on August 26, 2025, as the fifth Democrat in the race, with no prior elected office, and won the primary on May 19, 2026.[1][2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.