In the closing weeks of the 2024 election, the swingy 7th Congressional District in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley has been attracting attention from big-name politicians. The race is seen as a bellwether for national politics, as the district has historically aligned with the presidential election outcomes. The race between incumbent Rep. Susan Wild, a moderate Democrat, and her Republican opponent, state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, is closely watched.
The district is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, making it a microcosm of the nation. The growing Latino community in the area is becoming a significant demographic, and candidates are striving to engage with Latino voters. Wild has been proactive in reaching out to Latino voters by visiting Latino-owned businesses and engaging with community leaders.
The campaign has been heated, with Wild and Mackenzie trading accusations on various issues including border security, immigration, and abortion rights. Mackenzie has positioned himself as tough on border security and has criticized Wild for her views on the border wall. Meanwhile, Wild has painted Mackenzie as weak on women’s issues, highlighting his past votes on abortion legislation.
The Latino vote is a key factor in this district, and while Wild has been working to engage with Latino voters, Mackenzie’s campaign is also attempting to make inroads, though without explicitly focusing on specific Latino issues. The candidates have also clashed over healthcare, with Wild criticizing Mackenzie’s stance on in vitro fertilization.
Overall, the race in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District is closely contested, with Wild holding a slim lead in the polls. The outcome of this race could have implications for both the House control and the presidency.
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