A leading Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, Bob Brooks, is facing scrutiny over his personal investments as he campaigns on a platform that sharply criticizes the financial practices of lawmakers and corporations. Even as publicly calling for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress, Brooks and his wife continue to hold investments worth tens of thousands, and potentially millions, of dollars in a variety of companies, including those he has criticized on the campaign trail.
Brooks, a retired Bethlehem firefighter and president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, has repeatedly condemned what he calls a system rigged in favor of the wealthy. “No stock trading in Congress. If you seek to get rich, don’t run for office,” he states on his campaign website. He recently expressed outrage on social media regarding stock trades made by a Republican congressman, questioning, “Is there anyone who isn’t sick of this shit?”
However, a review of Brooks’ financial disclosure documents filed with Congress reveals a portfolio that includes stock in companies whose practices often conflict with his stated policy positions. According to the filings, Brooks or his wife, Jen, hold stock in several pharmaceutical and health insurance companies – AbbVie, Cardinal Health, Elevance Health, and Humana – despite Brooks’ campaign rhetoric advocating for affordable healthcare and railing against “lining the pockets of insurance and drug company bosses.”
The investments extend to other areas where Brooks has taken a critical stance. His wife owns up to $1,000 worth of stock in Palantir, a technology company that provides services to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency Brooks has condemned for its immigration enforcement tactics, stating, “In America, we don’t send masked men to kidnap people off the street and throw them into unmarked cars. It’s bullshit and un-American.” The couple also holds between $2,000 and $30,000 worth of stock in Amazon, a company that has faced accusations of illegal union busting.
Brooks’ campaign manager, Jenna Kaufman, stated that Brooks has never personally traded stocks, and that the couple utilizes a professional investment management firm to manage their holdings. “Once in Congress, neither he nor his wife will own individual stocks,” Kaufman said, but did not indicate whether the couple intends to divest their current holdings before potentially taking office.
The extent of Brooks’ wealth remains unclear. Congressional candidates are only required to disclose assets in broad ranges. A NOTUS analysis estimates that Brooks and his wife’s net worth could range from approximately $148,000 to $3.89 million, encompassing bank accounts, a rental property, and various liabilities including mortgage and loan debt. Kaufman declined to provide specific figures, emphasizing Brooks’ working-class background and history of holding multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Republican opponent Ryan Mackenzie’s campaign seized on the disclosures, with a spokesperson calling Brooks a “millionaire pretending to be a working-class hero.” Mackenzie has co-sponsored bills aimed at banning congressional stock trading.
Other Democratic primary contenders have also weighed in. Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley stated that while wealth itself isn’t disqualifying, the consistency between a candidate’s public image and their financial holdings is crucial. Former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell supports a ban on congressional stock trading and maintains a modest retirement plan with no individual stock holdings. Carol Obando-Derstine pledged to place her stock holdings in a blind trust if elected and also supports a ban on congressional stock trading.
Brooks initially filed a financial disclosure on December 23, but acknowledged errors and filed an amended disclosure on January 28, reattributing several holdings to his wife. The race for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District is considered a key battleground seat, and the Democratic primary is scheduled for May 19.
