Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, a Bristol native, will challenge Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick for his Congressional seat in 2026, writes Emily Neil for WHYY.
The Democrat and former Falls Township supervisor is entering the race for the 1st Congressional District, which spans Bucks County and parts of Montgomery County.
Harvie, who announced his candidacy on X (formerly Twitter), said he plans to focus on economic issues and “a return to fairness” in his campaign.
“People are working longer and harder, but they still can’t get ahead,” he said. “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.”
Harvie became Buck County commissioner in 2020, when the Democrats took control of the board of commissioners for the first time in almost four decades.
Fitzpatrick, a moderate Republican, has represented the district since 2017.
State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, chair of the Bucks County Democratic Committee, believes Harvie can win the seat.
“Bob brings a lot of things to the table as a candidate, but also as a prospective congressman,” he said. “He has now for five years served Bucks County as a commissioner, and he’s done a really good job in that role.”
Read more about Bob Harvie and his new congressional bid in WHYY.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on BUCKSCO Today in April 2025.
