A second Republican has entered the race to face Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) in the 7th Congressional District. 

Kevin Dellicker, who served in the U.S. Army and Air Force as a PA National Guardsman for 26 years and is the founder, owner, and CEO of Dellicker Strategies, a technology company, formally announced his entrance into the congressional race in the Lehigh Valley on Thursday. 

“The people of the Lehigh Valley are resilient and optimistic,” Dellicker said in a press release announcing his candidacy. “They love their country and believe in the American Dream. They want freedom to live in peace and prosperity. That’s what my campaign is all about.”

Dellicker describes himself as an “ordinary guy,” not a politician, who wants to help the nation “get back on track.”

“The stakes are too high,” Dellicker said. “Electing a common-sense Republican next year would bring hometown values back to our House seat and could restore the balance of power in Congress.”

“We don’t need elitists telling us what to do,” Dellicker continued. “We need safe communities, good jobs and strong families. We need to keep America free.”

Through Dellicker Strategies, he’s been able to “help organizations upgrade their technology infrastructure and improve their cybersecurity,” according to the campaign release.

“We’ve helped 630 school districts enhance their broadband access, including 44 schools in Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton counties,” said Dellicker. “We’ve been helping people bridge the ‘digital divide’ for 16 years.”

Citing his military service, Dellicker also stressed the importance of focusing on China. 

“We need to talk more about the threat from the Communist Party of China,” said Dellicker. “We must act now to counter their aggressive plans before they become a belligerent superpower.”

In addition to being a businessman and veteran, Dellicker also served as a former economic policy adviser for Gov. Tom Ridge.

On Thursday, he made appearances in Stroudsburg, Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Allentown promoting his campaign.

Dellicker first launched an exploratory committee for the 7th Congressional District in mid-March, according to the Allentown Morning Call, but told PoliticsPA in late-June that he was “leaning towards a run.”

Dellicker joins Lisa Scheller, a former Lehigh County Commissioner and businesswoman who lost to Wild by just under 4 points in 2020 for the Lehigh Valley congressional district, in the 2022 GOP race. 

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued a statement criticizing Dellicker after he formally announced his candidacy, while boosting Wild.

“Kevin Dellicker joins Lisa Scheller in a race to be the most extreme nominee on the Republicans side,” said DCCC spokesperson James Singer. “As they run to the right, opposing aid to Pennsylvania small businesses and families, Susan Wild and Democrats will continue to deliver for Pennsylvania.”

Wild and Joe Biden carried the 7th Congressional District by similar margins. Wild won by just under 4 points, while Biden bested Donald Trump by just under 5 points, according to Daily Kos. 

Wild is one of four Democrats in the state targeted by the NRCC to flip in 2022, along with Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) and Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny).

However, Pennsylvania is slated to lose a seat after redistricting, making it difficult for any challenger and incumbent to accurately size up their 2022 prospects.

This story was updated to include a comment from the DCCC.