Republican Ryan Mackenzie flips Pennsylvania’s 7th District House seat, ousting Democrat Susan Wild

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Democratic Rep. Susan Wild has conceded to GOP challenger Ryan Mackenzie successful Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District — 1 of nan country’s most-watched House races this year.

Wild congratulated Mackenzie without mentioning him by name, calling nan consequence a “bitterly disappointing outcome” successful a Wednesday greeting tweet.

With 99% of votes counted, Mackenzie led Wild 50.7% to 49.3% arsenic of 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, per unofficial AP results.

A 12-year Pennsylvania authorities legislator, Mackenzie, 42, campaigned connected his grounds of fiscal conservatism successful nan Pennsylvania House and painted Wild, 67, arsenic a phony mean who talks for illustration a centrist, but votes nan statement formation pinch progressive Democrats.

Mackenzie declared triumph astatine his predetermination watch statement astir 1 a.m. Wednesday, calling his “a awesome nighttime for nan Lehigh Valley.”

“The premise of this run was that we were being grounded by Susan Wild, and we needed to bring existent change,” Mackenzie said. “That is what we did tonight, and convey you to nan voters of nan legislature territory of PA-07!”

In turn, Wild campaigned connected abortion authorities and erroneously charged her force pinch supporting a national abortion ban.

Mackenzie besides benefited from Wild’s extended history of causing contention this run cycle. She’s doxxed senators connected Facebook, insulted her ain constituents, and moreover hired an character to play a constabulary officer successful her run ad, passing him disconnected arsenic a real-deal cop.

In summation to her quirky controversies, Wild has besides sent mixed messages about wherever she stands connected nan Israel-Hamas warfare and had her car booted adjacent nan Capitol successful DC after racking up hundreds of dollars successful fines from parking violations — including parking successful a handicapped spot.

Centered successful nan Lehigh Valley region, Cook Political Report rated nan 7th District title a toss-up. The territory covers parts of 4 eastbound Pennsylvania counties: Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe.