In what may be perceived as a wee bit early, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure announced that he is running to represent Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle.

The Democrat, who said that he needed an early launch to build support, will be vying for the seat presently held by Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.

“Public service was instilled in me at the kitchen table,” McClure said. “My parents taught me that whatever God-given talent I have, I have an obligation to use it in service of others as well as myself. That’s why I’m running to serve you in Congress.”

McClure served on the Northampton County Council from 2006 to 2013, where he authored legislation to distribute casino revenue to impacted townships and led efforts to help homeowners facing foreclosure.

He was elected as Northampton County Executive in 2018. Among his achievements according to a press release are cutting property taxes while improving crucial services; helping keep small businesses alive during the pandemic; preserving over 622 acres of open space and investing $25 million in farmland preservation; protecting Gracedale Nursing Home from privatization; and taking on opioid manufacturers responsible for the fentanyl crisis.

“I’ve always been a fighter on your side against powerful interests,” McClure added. “Whether I was fighting the world’s largest corporations and their insurance companies on behalf of Steelworkers and other Trades people, or while on Northampton County Council battling to protect the elderly residents of our nursing home from being sold out to a for-profit corporation, or as County Executive taking on and beating the opioid manufacturers who caused so much death and devastation through the fentanyl crisis.”

McClure also took on Donald Trump in his announcement, criticizing the chaos he’s unleashed that’s hurting working people in Pennsylvania.

“The utter chaos unleashed on us by Trump and Elon Musk may seem overwhelming, but there is hope. It will take Congress growing a backbone and standing up to what they’re doing,” McClure said. “We’ve shown in Northampton County that you can provide important services such as mental health, drug and alcohol and protection for our older residents, while cutting taxes and cutting the size of government.”

The Mackenzie camp was quick to respond to McClure’s announcement, criticizing his 2020 executive order regarding detaining immigrants suspected of crime.

“With nearly two years until the election, Lamont McClure has decided that he needs as much time as possible to try and redefine his record of gross mismanagement and callous disregard for public safety,” said Mackenzie for Congress spokesman Arnaud Armstrong. “After weeks of trying to explain away his decision to reject ICE detainers and let illegal immigrant criminals walk free from prison, McClure has decided to take his America Last agenda to Congress.

“While McClure spends the next 21 months campaigning, Congressman Mackenzie will be doing his job and following through on his promises to the people of the Greater Lehigh Valley, including securing the border, fighting for working families, and keeping our communities safe.”

The 7th Congressional District is one of the most competitive in the country, as well as one of the most expensive. The campaign finance tracker OpenSecrets.org found that Mackenzie, Susan Wild and their representatives spent more than $37 million on the 2024 race.

Wild, who was defeated by Mackenzie by 4,000 votes, has stated that it is too early for her to make a decision on another run for Washington.