Republican Pennsylvania Congressman gets general election challenger

(WHTM) – Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie (D) announced Thursday that he is running for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District.

Harvie says he’s running because “Washington isn’t working for us anymore.”

“The American Dream—the idea that if you work hard, you can build a better life for yourself and your family—is slipping further out of reach,” said Harvie. “Washington is catering to special interests, lobbyists, and billionaires like Elon Musk instead of fighting for working families.”

Harvie was elected to the Board of Bucks County Commissioners in November 2019 and was named chair in January 2022. A lifelong Bucks County resident, Harvie attended George Washington University and has a master’s degree from Holy Family University.

The seat is currently held by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R), who has served in the House since 2017. He succeeded his late brother and longtime Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick in representing the 1st District.

Fitzpatrick was primaried by Republican Marck Houck in 2024 but won the party’s nomination by nearly 17,000 votes. He’s defeated Democrat Ashley Ehasz in the last two general elections, receiving at least 54% in both races.

Harvie said in his announcement that Fitzpatrick “has failed to stand up for us” and that his campaign will focus on fighting for middle class and working families.

The National Republican Congressional Committee responded to Harvie’s entrance to the race on Thursday afternoon.

“Out of touch Democrat Bob Harvie is a slimy career politician who has done nothing but serve himself and his own agenda,” said NRCC Spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole. “Meanwhile, Rep. Fitzpatrick has a proven record of working across the aisle for Pennsylvanians. The contrast couldn’t be clearer, and voters will resoundingly reject Bob Harvie.” 

In November 2024, Fitzpatrick filed a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission to run in 2026.

Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District represents all of Bucks County and part of Montgomery County.