Republican Ryan Mackenzie Defeats Incumbent Democrat Susan Wild in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District

In a closely contested election, Republican State Representative Ryan Mackenzie has been projected to win Pennsylvania‘s 7th Congressional District, defeating three-term incumbent Democrat Susan Wild. Wild, who has represented the district since 2019, conceded the election on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

The 7th Congressional District, which encompasses all of Lehigh and Northampton counties and parts of Monroe County, has been a key battleground. Wild, a former city government lawyer, had won the district by fewer than 2 points in the 2022 election and was a perennial target for Republicans.

Mackenzie, who currently represents Pennsylvania’s 187th District in the state house, aligned himself with former President Trump but emphasized his ability to work across the aisle. Economic issues and immigration were highlighted as significant concerns in the district during his campaign.

According to the latest vote counts, Mackenzie secured 200,544 votes, while Wild received 195,004 votes as of about 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Despite performing well in Northampton and Lehigh counties, Wild faced significant deficits in Monroe and Carbon counties, which contributed to her loss.

In her concession statement, Wild expressed her disappointment but also her commitment to ensuring a smooth transition. She emphasized the importance of recognizing election results and finding common ground, stating that serving the community is the greatest privilege of her life. Wild also pledged to continue fighting for issues such as reproductive rights, affordable health care, and workers’ rights.