Buckingham Resident Enters Congressional Race

Candidate Rob Strickler, his wife Sue, and adopted dogs Nessie and Kelpie. Credit: Submitted

A Democrat has launched a grassroots campaign for the primary in the First Congressional District, which covers all of Bucks County and part of Montgomery County.

Rob Strickler, a Buckingham Township resident and first-time candidate, announced this week he will seek the Democratic nomination for the First Congressional District.

Strickler will challenge Bucks County Commissioner Chairperson Bob Harvie in the Democratic primary ahead of the 2026 general election.

Strickler, who grew up in Levittown and Fairless Hills and graduated from Pennsbury High School, describes himself as “just some guy” with no prior political ambitions.

In his announcement, Strickler stated he decided to run due to concerns about threats to American democracy and what he sees as “inadequate representation” from incumbent five-term GOP Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.

“I’m no politician. I’ve never had any ambitions for public office,” Strickler stated. “But due to Donald Trump’s authoritarian attacks on our democracy and disregard for our Constitution, along with Brian Fitzpatrick’s cowardly inaction and silence, I fear for the rights and freedoms we’ve come to take for granted as Americans. Fitzpatrick took an oath to defend our Constitution, yet he wouldn’t even vote to impeach Trump after he incited the riot that led to an attack on our capitol, which Fitzpatrick himself called, ‘Nothing short of a coup attempt!’” If you won’t impeach for a coup attempt, then what will it take for Fitzpatrick to oppose Trump?”

Strickler stated his decision to run for Congress came after positive feedback from residents as he spoke to them.

Strickler’s campaign will not seek donations, but will instead focus on building grassroots support through direct voter engagement.

“We’ve got to fix our government to make it work for working men and women, and that starts with getting money out of our elections,” Strickler said. “Mega donors and PACs have warped and overwhelmed our politics and it must stop.”

Strickler’s campaign also takes aim at Fitzpatrick’s initial support for what Strickler calls the “Big Billionaire Benefits Bill.” He said it harms local residents reliant on Medicaid and food stamps. Strickler said the legislation will add more than $3 trillion to the national debt while primarily benefiting wealthy Americans.

Fitzpatrick voted against the final version of the bill, but he previously supported the initial version in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“We need to be fiscally responsible and reduce deficit spending for the sake of today’s children and future generations,” Strickler said. “Meanwhile, billionaires continue to benefit while low and middle-income Americans get no relief. I say cut tax rates at the lower end and shift rates higher those at the top.”

“I’m just asking for your support and vote in the 2026 Democratic primaries and the general election so we can make government truly work for lower and middle-income people of Pennsylvania and the USA,” Strickler said.

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