Former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell, who resigned in protest in February over the Trump administration’s handling of criminal cases, has tossed his hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination for the 7th Congressional District seat.

Crosswell becomes the third Democrat to join the race to win back the Lehigh Valley seat won by Republican Ryan Mackenzie in November. Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure and first-time candidate Carol Obando-Derstine previously announced their intentions to run.

In a campaign video released on Sunday night, Crosswell said he still believes in the oath he took to defend his country when he joined the Marine Corps as well as when he became a prosecutor.

“But when Donald Trump tried to force the prosecutors in my section to drop a case against one of his friends … As part of his plan to turn the Justice Department into a weapon against his enemies … That’s something I would never do. So I resigned.”

“As working people struggle to get by and afford the rising cost of living, D.C. politicians are making the problem worse,” said Crosswell in a press release. “They’re threatening the Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits Pennsylvanians rely on to make ends meet, while enriching themselves by trading stocks off insider information and giving their billionaire donors another massive tax cut at the expense of the middle class.

“I can’t stand on the sidelines while corruption in D.C. is hurting hardworking people in the place I love to call home, so I’m doing what I’ve done my entire career – standing up for what’s right and stepping up to serve. In Congress, I will work to lower costs for hard-working Pennsylvanians, protect health care and the Social Security and Medicare benefits that seniors have earned, and fight political corruption and attacks on our democracy, rights, and freedoms. As a Congressman, I will continue to always stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard.”

Obando-Derstine’s campaign manager, Robert Phillips, said that Lehigh Valley voters want someone who has roots in the district.

“Carol Obando-Derstine has spent over twenty years delivering for families in this district, helping lower energy costs, helping people prepare for good-paying jobs, and serving as Sen. Bob Casey’s Regional Manager,” he said in a statement. “Voters don’t want a D.C.-backed Republican parachuting into this district. They want someone who understands their struggles and has deep roots in this community. That’s Carol.”

Crosswell grew up in Pottsville and, until December, resided in Washington, D.C. and switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat.

McClure allies such as Northampton County Commissioner Kelly Keegan and Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. have been posting criticisms of Crosswell on social media for a week, citing his past registration as a Republican and his lack of history in the district.

“Ryan Crosswell is a lifelong Republican who has never lived in the Lehigh Valley. Even worse, Crosswell spent four years working for the Trump Department of Justice as they attacked civil rights, voting rights, and women’s rights — and only resigned to run for Congress,” McClure said in a prepared statement. “Ryan Crosswell isn’t running for Congress to help Pennsylvania families. He’s running to help himself.”

Maureen O’Toole, spokeswoman for the National Republican Campaign Committee, also lashed out at Crosswell’s announcement.

“Ryan Crosswell is the latest out of touch Democrat to join this pathetic race to the left,” she said in a press release. “While these Democrats desperately try to out-crazy each other, Ryan Mackenzie is continuing to do actual work making Pennsylvania safer and more affordable. Ryan Crosswell doesn’t stand a chance.” 

The 7th Congressional District will be one of the most watched campaigns in 2026 as one of the few real battlegrounds in the country. The District, which represents Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties plus part of Monroe Count, is almost evenly split between registered Democrats and Republicans.

The 2024 race totaled more than $38 million in political spending, making it one of the most expensive House races in the nation.