Fact-Check: Did Ryan Mackenzie Mislead Voters About His Controversial Record?

Ryan E. Mackenzie is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives serving the 187th Legislative District (parts of Lehigh County).Photo byOffices of State Rep Ryan Mackenzie

Incumbent candidate accused of misleading voters on abortion, labor, and education policies.

ALLENTOWN, PA— In a heated exchange during the PA-07 candidate debate, Republican Ryan Mackenzie found himself on the defensive as his opponent, Congresswoman Susan Wild, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) highlighted what they described as his “extreme” voting record on key issues affecting Pennsylvanians. Mackenzie, who has served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2012, was accused of attempting to mislead voters by downplaying his past stances on abortion, labor rights, and public education.

During the debate, Mackenzie sought to present himself as a moderate, but his opponents pointed to a history of votes that suggest otherwise. “Ryan Mackenzie is shamelessly lying to voters about his extreme, far-right agenda,” said DCCC spokesperson Aidan Johnson. “All he has to show for his time in the state legislature is a dangerous record that threatens Pennsylvania women, seniors, and families.”

Abortion Rights: A Record Under Fire

Mackenzie’s stance on abortion was a focal point of the debate. Despite his claims of supporting exceptions in cases of rape or incest, his voting record tells a different story. He has consistently voted for abortion bans with no exceptions, supported measures to amend the state constitution to exclude any abortion rights, and touted a “100% pro-life voting record” before recently removing references to his anti-abortion stance from his website.

“Mackenzie’s attempt to distance himself from his past is not fooling anyone,” Wild countered. “His record is clear: he has supported some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the state, with no regard for the health and rights of women.”

Labor and Economic Issues: Anti-Worker Accusations

Mackenzie’s position on labor rights and economic policies also came under scrutiny. The candidate has opposed increasing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage and has consistently voted against measures that would support unionization and collective bargaining rights. Critics argue that his policies favor businesses over workers, pointing to his recent remarks that job losses due to automation are “where you want to go.”

“Mackenzie’s record shows that he is no friend to working families,” said Johnson. “His opposition to raising the minimum wage and supporting labor rights makes it clear whose side he’s on.”

Education and Social Programs: Controversial Stances

Education was another contentious issue in the debate. Mackenzie was criticized for co-sponsoring a bill in 2023 that would allocate $100 million in taxpayer funds, potentially diverting resources from public schools to private school tuition. Opponents argue this undermines public education and threatens the quality of education for Pennsylvania’s children.

On social programs, Mackenzie’s support for “zero-based budgeting” has raised alarms among Democrats, who warn that such an approach could lead to cuts in critical programs like Social Security and Medicare. “Zero-based budgeting means everything is on the chopping block every single year,” said Wild. “This is a direct threat to the security of our seniors.”

The Stakes for PA-07

The outcome of the PA-07 race could have significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district, which includes Allentown and surrounding areas, has seen a competitive race between Mackenzie and Wild, who has held the seat since 2018. With national attention on key battleground districts, both parties are pouring resources into the contest, framing it as a referendum on broader issues such as reproductive rights, economic inequality, and the future of social safety nets.

As Election Day approaches, Mackenzie’s record will likely remain under the spotlight, with both campaigns vying to sway undecided voters in what is expected to be a closely fought race.

Your Turn - Like This, or Hate it?

Please offer an insightful and thoughtful comment. Idiotic, profane, or threatening comments are eliminated without remorse. Follow us to have other feature stories fill up your Newsbreak feed from ThumbWind Publications.