Lehigh County Comptroller Mark Pinsley he ended his campaign for the Democratic nomination in the 7th Congressional District on Wednesday morning to focus on the Pennsylvania Senate seat.
Pinsley withdrew from the crowded PA-07 race after raising just over $52,000 in the fourth quarter and “taking a close look at my campaign finances.”
To, Ryan Crosswell in the same three-month period in behind schedule 2025, it raised more than $443,000.
Pinsley, however, believes he has “the network, support and experience to win the State Senate nomination in the 16th District.”
Currently this place is occupied by Senator Jarrett Coleman (R-Lehigh), who defeated Pinsley by eight points in the 2022 replacement race Patrick Browne who served from 2005–22. The state Senate campaign is Pinsley’s eighth race in the last 10 years and his third bid for the 16th District.
“As Trump and the Republican Party take America down a dark path, I cannot back down from the fight,” Pinsley said. “While the federal government remains in gridlock, we will build the foundations of resistance and reform in Harrisburg and state capitals across the country.
“The opportunity in Pennsylvania is real. For the first time in over thirty years, Democrats were able to stage a trifecta in Harrisburg, giving Governor Shapiro the opportunity to move forward unhindered by Senate Republicans who have refused to raise the minimum wage and tax wealthy corporations fairly.”
As Democrats focus on the “trifecta” of serving as governor and controlling majorities in the House and Senate, Pinsley said the party needs the strongest candidate possible.
“I would be honored to fight for you in Washington,” he said, “but my practical experience might be more useful to you in Harrisburg.”
Opponents may view Pinsley leaving one race and entering another as a weakness rather than a strength.
Pinsley joins a crowded Democratic field to challenge Coleman along with Pennridge School Board Superintendent Bradley Merkel-GumpMayor of Richlandtown Wayne Codnerand local businessman Juan Vargas.
“I want to make something clear: I have been running for the Pennsylvania State Senate in the 16th District since day one,” Vargas wrote on social media. “I chose this race consciously. I did not hesitate. I did not change my mind. And I will not abandon the term my voters have entrusted to me.
“That said, the primary is healthy. Voters deserve a choice. We welcome Mark to the race.”
The 16th District represents the townships of Heidelberg, Lower Macungie, Lower Milford, Lowhill, Lynn, North Whitehall, Upper Macungie, Upper Milford, Upper Saucon, Washington and Weisenberg, and Alburtis, Coopersburg, Macungie and Slatington, as well as parts of Allentown and South Whitehall Township in Lehigh County.
The Bucks County portion of the district includes the townships of Bedminster, Bridgeton, Durham, East Rockhill, Haycock, Hilltown, Milford, Nockamixon, Richland, Springfield, Tinicum and West Rockhill, along with Dublin, Perkasie, Quarkertown, Richlandtown, Riegelsville, Sellersville, Silverdale and Trumbauersville, and part of Telford.
According to state data, Republicans have a 12.4% advantage over Democrats in voter registration in the district.
