Pennsylvania’s 7th District Race Puts Union Rights in the Spotlight as Crosswell Faces Scrutiny

Allentown, PA — The Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District is shaping up as a high-stakes battle over labor rights, corporate accountability and the legacy of a candidate whose legal career has come under fire. Ryan Crosswell, a former federal prosecutor and Marine, is running for the seat held by Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, but newly surfaced documents have thrust his past work at a prominent “union avoidance” law firm into the center of the race.

From Corporate Defense to Congressional Candidate

Crosswell, a Democrat, has positioned himself as a champion of workers’ rights, citing his upbringing in Pennsylvania and his later career as a federal prosecutor under the Obama administration. His campaign website emphasizes his commitment to fighting corporate corruption, protecting democracy, and standing up to what he calls “the biggest threat our country has ever known”—a clear reference to former President Donald Trump, whose administration he left in protest in 2025.

However, a report published by The American Prospect on April 28, 2026, reveals that Crosswell spent three years at Littler Mendelson, the largest “union avoidance” law firm in the U.S., where he worked on cases that undermined workers’ rights. The documents show he defended corporations against allegations of sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and wrongful termination, including high-profile cases involving Citigroup, Becton Dickinson, and Walmart.

“Ryan Crosswell is running to represent Pennsylvania’s Seventh District after a career helping bosses fight their workers.”

— Whitney Curry Wimbish, The American Prospect

Crosswell’s campaign has pushed back against these allegations, with a spokesperson stating, “The actual facts here don’t lie. Ryan worked early in his career at a very large law firm; he himself never worked on a case that involved union busting. He left that job over a decade ago to join the Department of Justice under President Obama. As a prosecutor, he worked to protect our country from fraudsters, child predators, and corrupt politicians.”

A Race Defined by Labor vs. Corporate Power

The 7th District, which includes parts of the Lehigh Valley, is one of Pennsylvania’s most competitive congressional seats. Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie, a former state lawmaker, won the seat in 2024, but Democrats notice an opportunity to flip it in 2026. Crosswell’s primary opponent, Bob Brooks—a Bernie Sanders-endorsed firefighter and union leader—has framed the race as a choice between a corporate defender and a true advocate for workers.

Brooks, who has spent decades in the firefighters’ union, has criticized Crosswell’s legal record, arguing that his work at Littler Mendelson directly contradicts his current campaign messaging. “This isn’t just about one candidate’s past—it’s about what kind of representation working families in Pennsylvania deserve,” Brooks said in a recent interview. “We need someone who has spent their life fighting for workers, not defending corporations that exploit them.”

Crosswell, meanwhile, has doubled down on his progressive platform, vowing to accept on “big tech and a handful of billionaires” who he says are rigging the economy against everyday Pennsylvanians. His campaign website highlights his resignation from the Justice Department in 2025, when he refused to comply with what he described as Trump’s attempts to weaponize the DOJ against political opponents.

Key Issues in the Race

The Democratic primary has become a microcosm of broader national debates over labor rights, corporate influence, and the role of government in protecting workers. Key issues shaping the race include:

• Union Rights: Brooks has made strengthening unions a cornerstone of his campaign, while Crosswell has emphasized his commitment to workers despite his legal history.
• Corporate Accountability: Crosswell has accused Mackenzie of colluding with billionaires to rig the economy, while Brooks has questioned whether Crosswell’s corporate legal work aligns with his current rhetoric.
• Healthcare and Wages: Both candidates support expanding access to healthcare and raising the minimum wage, but Brooks has argued that Crosswell’s past work undermines his credibility on these issues.

What’s Next for Pennsylvania’s 7th District?

The Democratic primary is set to be one of the most closely watched races in the 2026 midterms, with national implications for labor rights and corporate power in politics. Crosswell’s legal record has already become a flashpoint, and his ability to reconcile his past with his current campaign promises will likely determine his viability in the race.

For voters in the Lehigh Valley, the choice is clear: a candidate with deep ties to the labor movement or one whose career has been defined by defending the very corporations that unions oppose. As the primary heats up, both sides are digging in, setting the stage for a contentious and consequential election.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ryan Crosswell’s background?

Ryan Crosswell is a former Marine and federal prosecutor who resigned from the Department of Justice in 2025 after refusing to comply with what he described as political interference by the Trump administration. He previously worked at Littler Mendelson, a law firm known for representing corporations in labor disputes.

Who is Ryan Crosswell’s primary opponent?

Crosswell’s leading opponent in the Democratic primary is Bob Brooks, a firefighter and union leader endorsed by Bernie Sanders. Brooks has criticized Crosswell’s legal record, arguing that his work at Littler Mendelson contradicts his current campaign messaging.

What are the key issues in this race?

The race has centered on labor rights, corporate accountability, and healthcare. Both candidates support progressive policies like raising the minimum wage and expanding healthcare access, but Brooks has questioned whether Crosswell’s past work aligns with his current platform.

When is the primary election?

The Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District will be held on May 19, 2026. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Ryan Crosswell, a former federal prosecutor, is running for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District as a Democrat.
• Documents reveal he worked at Littler Mendelson, a law firm known for defending corporations against workers’ rights claims.
• His primary opponent, Bob Brooks, is a union leader endorsed by Bernie Sanders, making labor rights a central issue in the race.
• The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie in the general election.
• The race has become a flashpoint in national debates over corporate power, union rights, and political accountability.