In the high-stakes theater of American politics, few stages are as fraught with tension as Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. Nestled in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, encompassing cities like Allentown and Bethlehem, this district is a microcosm of the nation’s deepest divides. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the battle for this seat has transformed into something far larger than a standard partisan brawl. It has become a referendum on the very soul of the American justice system, headlined by a candidate who didn’t just witness history—he resigned in protest of it.

The Swing District Crucible

The 7th District is the definition of a “purple” battleground. Currently held by Republican Ryan Mackenzie, who snatched the seat in 2024 by a razor-thin margin of just over 4,000 votes (50.5% to 49.5%), the area is a bellwether for the national mood. Mackenzie, a ninth-generation resident of the Lehigh Valley, has leaned heavily into a local version of the “Make America Great Again” platform, focusing on domestic energy and federal overreach.

However, the 2026 race is being disrupted by the entry of Ryan Croswell, a former federal prosecutor and Marine whose campaign is built on a single, explosive premise: that the Department of Justice has been weaponized into a tool for political retribution.

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The Whistleblower’s Resignation

Croswell’s journey to the ballot box began in the sterile hallways of the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section. After a ten-year career investigating public corruption, Croswell reached his “line in the sand” in early 2025. The catalyst was the Trump administration’s decision to drop the criminal corruption prosecution of former New York City Mayor Eric Adams—a move that prompted at least seven senior prosecutors to resign in protest.

For Croswell, the dismissal wasn’t just a disagreement over legal strategy; it was an act of “improper considerations.” He testified before Congress that the DOJ’s decision-making had become “corrupt,” alleging that the department was simultaneously shielding the President’s allies while aggressively hunting his perceived enemies.

“In my ten-year career, only once have I seen a grand jury fail to return an indictment. I’ve never heard of a prosecutor bringing it a second time… it would be so humiliating. This DOJ is abusing its power by pursuing Donald Trump’s enemies and protecting his friends.” — Ryan Croswell

The Battle of the Grand Juries: Letitia James

Croswell’s warnings about the “humiliation” of prosecutorial failure became reality in late 2025. In a historic blow to the administration, grand juries in Alexandria and Norfolk twice refused to re-indict New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The DOJ had attempted to resurrect bank fraud charges against James—charges that were previously thrown out because the prosecutor who brought them, Lindsey Halligan, was ruled to have been illegally appointed. The repeated rejection by ordinary citizens—grand jurors who serve as the “first check” against government abuse—has become a cornerstone of Croswell’s campaign narrative. He argues that if even a grand jury (the group famously said to be able to “indict a ham sandwich”) says no, the prosecution is fundamentally hollow.

Economics vs. Ethics: Pennsylvania’s Choice

While the national media focuses on the “secret police” and “corrupt prosecutors,” the reality on the ground in Allentown is often dictated by the kitchen table. Polling from late 2025 indicates that roughly 29% of voters in the PA-7 identify the economy and inflation as their top priority.

Incumbent Ryan Mackenzie is betting on this. His campaign emphasizes affordability, pointing to the “Big Beautiful Bill” as a victory for domestic growth. Conversely, Croswell is attempting a difficult political maneuver: arguing that corruption is an economic issue. He contends that when a government is for sale, or when it uses its power to enrich donors—such as the alleged $45 billion directed toward private prison donors—everyday families pay the price through higher taxes and fewer opportunities.

Demographics and the 2026 Outlook

The PA-7 is a complex demographic mix:

White: 68.6%

Hispanic/Latino: 19.1% (a rapidly growing and pivotal voting bloc)

Black: 5.5%

College-Educated: Approximately 30%

In 2024, Donald Trump won the district with 51% of the vote, mirroring Mackenzie’s narrow win. For Croswell to prevail, he must maintain the 69% support that Democrats typically enjoy among people of color in the district while winning back white, working-class voters who feel left behind by Washington.

Conclusion: A Referendum on Trust

As 2026 looms, the Pennsylvania 7th isn’t just watching a race between two men named Ryan. It is watching a struggle over the definition of the rule of law. Ryan Croswell is betting his political life on the idea that Pennsylvanians care more about the integrity of their institutions than the partisan labels of those running them.

Will the “whistleblower” approach resonate with a public that increasingly views Washington as a “dumpster fire”? Or will the focus on “affordability” keep the incumbent in power? The answer will not only determine the future of the Lehigh Valley but will signal to the rest of the country whether the “line in the sand” still exists.