Pennsylvania House District 7 2026: the ads, and who's paying for them
Bob Brooks (DEM), Ryan Mackenzie (REP, incumbent).
4 others filed with the FEC; any ads they ran are below. 54 ads analyzed, 29 with at least one technique in the copy.
Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing. Updated 2026-09-30.
$31,000–70,141 on all ads, $20,900–43,793 on flagged ads · Meta reports ranges; these are the sums of their ends
Example
“stupid dance” — Loaded Language, paid for by Bob Brooks for Congress
· the flagged ad with the highest reported spend that shows the most common technique
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A small box with these findings and the newest ads, updated as new ads are analyzed. Free for newsrooms, blogs and campaigns alike; it links back here.
Decide what counts
Not everyone would call every technique manipulation. Untick the ones you'd call ordinary persuasion and the count updates.
54% of the 54 ads here use at least one of the techniques ticked below (29 ads).
Leaving out the softer ones (loaded language, glittering generalities, slogans, exaggeration, repetition): 52% of ads.
The words doing the work
The words that show up most in phrases our model flagged as loaded language or name calling in this race's ads, by number of ads.
dumpster firein 7 ads· e.g. “dumpster fire”, “Trump's dumpster fire in Washington”
billionairein 5 ads· e.g. “billionaires”, “billionaire buddies”
rob familiein 3 ads· e.g. “voted to rob families”
stupid dancein 3 ads· e.g. “his stupid dance”, “stupid dance”
trump' dumpsterin 3 ads· e.g. “Trump's dumpster fire in Washington”, “Trump's dumpster fire”
votedin 3 ads· e.g. “voted to rob families”
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From FEC filings for 2025–26. Outside spending is money a group spends on its own about a candidate — TV and online ads, mail, canvassing. It is not a donation to the campaign, and the candidate does not control it. Supporting means it was spent to help that candidate win; Opposing means it was spent to defeat them, usually on attack ads. Groups report it within 24 or 48 hours as the election nears. Raised is the campaign's own fundraising, as of its latest quarterly report. Largest donors come from each outside spender's own FEC receipts, with each donor's share of its itemized receipts; donors under $100,000 are not named. People are shown with the employer and occupation they reported. A donor that is itself a political committee is shown with its own largest donors. Companies and nonprofits don't report their funders to the FEC, so the trail ends there, and the page says so.
$2.4M through 2026-06-30individuals $1.9M · PACs $403K · party $5,000 · candidate's own money, incl. loans $3,500 · from the candidate's other committees $26K · cash on hand $1.0M
117 PACs gave directly — alphabetical; the legal limit is $5,000 per election
A LOVE SUPREME PAC $2,000
AG PAC $2,000
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AAJ PAC) $2,500
AMERICAN DEFENSE AND MILITARY PAC $2,000
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVT. EMPL. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $500
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES - CA PEOPLE (AFSCME CA PEOPLE) $5,000
AMERICAN INNOVATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AMI PAC) $1,000
AMERICAN MOBILIZATION PAC $5,000
AMERICAN MOSAIC PAC $1,000
AMERICAN VOTER PROTECTION PROJECT $2,000
AMERICANS MAKING OPPORTUNITIES PAC $1,000
AMERIPAC $5,000
ANIMAL PROTECTION PAC $3,000
BDA PAC $3,500
BEEPAC (BUILDING ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PAC) $2,000
BEYOND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS PAC $1,000
BLUE DOG POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
BLUE HEN FEDERAL PAC $5,000
BLUE MAJORITY PAC $4,000
BLUE ROCK LEADERSHIP PAC $1,000
BUILD THE BENCH PAC $3,500
CA LUV PAC (CALIFORNIA LEADERSHIP UNITED FOR VICTORY PAC) $10K
CARPENTERS LEGISLATIVE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS $10K
COMMITTEE FOR A DEMOCRATIC FUTURE $1,000
COMMITTEE TO ELECT JARED GOLDEN $4,000
COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA - COPE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS COMMITTEE $10K
CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS PAC $10K
COURAGE PAC $2,000
COWEN FOR CONGRESS $2,000
DEFEAT EXTREMISTS $4,000
DEMOCRACY SUMMER 2026 $3,000
DEMOCRACY SUMMER LEADERSHIP PAC $7,000
DEMOCRATIC JEWISH OUTREACH PA $2,500
DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY FUND $7,500
DEMOCRATIC VALUES $1,000
DEMOCRATS WIN SEATS (DWS PAC) $1,000
DEMS WIN PA $2,500
DLGA PAC $2,500
DONT GIVE UP THE SHIP PAC $1,000
DR KIM SCHRIER FOR CONGRESS $1,000
DUANE MORRIS GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE $1,000
EMILY RANDALL FOR CONGRESS $1,000
END CITIZENS UNITED $7,500
FAIR SHOT PAC $10K
FLIP THE CONGRESS PAC $5,000
FRIENDS OF JENNIFER OMARA $500
FRIENDS OF JOE MCANDREW $1,000
FRIENDS OF MIKE SCHLOSSBERG $1,000
FRIENDS OF NICK MILLER $1,000
FRIENDS OF PETER SCHWEYER $1,000
FRIENDS OF STEVE MALAGARI $250
GREG CASAR FOR CONGRESS $1,000
HMP $5,000
HOPE PAC $2,000
HOULAPAC $4,000
IAFF FIREPAC $10K
INT'L ASSOCIATION OF BRIDGE, STRUCTURAL, ORNAMENTAL AND REINFORCING IRON WORKERS (IPAL) $10K
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SHEET METAL, AIR, RAIL AND TRANSPORTATION WORKERS POLITICAL ACTION LEAGUE $2,500
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF BOILERMAKERS CAMPAIGN ASSISTANCE FUND $2,500
JAMIE RASKIN FOR CONGRESS $4,000
JEFFRIES FOR CONGRESS $4,000
JOBS, EDUCATION, & FAMILIES FIRST JEFF PAC $10K
JUNTOS PAC $5,000
JUSTICE LEAGUE PAC $1,000
KATHERINE CLARK FOR CONGRESS $4,000
LA BAMBA PAC $1,500
LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS $2,500
LEAGUE OF LABOR VOTERS $3,500
LICCARDO FOR CONGRESS $2,000
LIFTOFF PAC $2,500
LORI TRAHAN FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE $1,000
MAC PAC $1,000
MACHINIST'S NON-PARTISAN POLITICAL LEAGUE $10K
MAKING A DIFFERENCE PAC $6,000
MARIA FOR PA $1,000
MCKENZIE RIVER PAC $5,000
MEDICARE FOR ALL $10K
MIDWEST VALUES PAC $2,500
MORGAN MCGARVEY FOR CONGRESS $1,000
NATIONAL NURSES UNITED PAC - A FUND FOR A HEALTHY AMERICA $3,000
NEA FUND FOR CHILDREN AND PUBLIC EDUCATION $5,000
NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNIONS POLITICAL EDUCATIONAL FUND $1,000
NOT SO OLD FASHIONED PAC $2,000
NRDC ACTION FUND INC PAC $1,000
O'NEILL AND ASSOCIATES PAC $1,000
ON THE MOVE PAC $1,500
OUR FIGHT OUR FUTURE $1,000
PATRIOT PAC $2,500
PENNSYLVANIANS FOR THE DISABLED $1,000
PEOPLE'S ACTION POWER $2,000
PETE AGUILAR FOR CONGRESS $4,000
PROGRESSIVE CHOICES PAC $1,000
PROGRESSIVE TURNOUT PROJECT $5,000
PROGRESSIVE VOTERS OF AMERICA $10K
PUGET PAC $1,500
RESILIENT MAJORITY PAC $1,000
RISING DEMS $3,500
RPG PAC $250
SAVE DEMOCRACY PAC $10K
SCHAKOWSKY FOR CONGRESS $1,000
SEIU COPE (SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION) $5,000
SERVICE FIRST PAC $3,000
SHORE PAC $1,000
SILICORN VALLEY PAC $7,000
SMART TD PAC $5,000
SPACESHIP EARTH PAC $1,500
SPIKE PAC $1,000
SUNFLOWER SEEDS PAC $2,000
TED LIEU FOR CONGRESS $2,000
THE JUNO FUND $10K
TOMORROW PAC $1,000
UA UNION PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS VOTE! PAC (UNITED ASSOCIATION OF JOURNEYMEN AND APPRENTICES OF THE PLUMBING & PIPEFITTING INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA) $3,500
HMP— $401K opposing MackenzieAMERICA FIRST AGRICULTURE ACTION INC.— $239K supporting MackenzieREPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL FREEDOM FUND— $65K opposing MackenzieLargest donors:
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL $300K (26%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); Shannon Elizabeth Hunt-scott $250K (22%), THE Scott Foundation, President; Dagmar Dolby $250K (22%), NOT Employed, NOT Employed; Robert T Friedman $100K (9%), RF Consulting, Consulting; Aimee Boone Cunningham $100K (9%), Self Employed, AttorneyAMERICA PAC— $53K supporting Mackenzie
· 2 ads on this pageLargest donors:
Elon Musk $20.1M (>99%), Space Exploration Technologies Corp., CEOIN UNION USA— $26K opposing Mackenzieand 8 more
325 PACs gave directly — alphabetical; the legal limit is $5,000 per election
31 DAYS PAC $2,500
476 PAC $500
ABRAHAM LINCOLN PAC $5,000
AECOM PAC $1,000
AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION PAC $2,000
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. POLITICAL ALLIANCE $5,000
Paid for by America PACfrom 2026-09-24spend $0–99100–999 impressions
The Socialist Dream Team is bringing record high prices to PA with the help of Bob Brooks.
The Socialist Dream Team is bringing record high prices to PA with the help of Bob Brooks.
Will you help STOP the socialist storm from taking over PA? Make your plan to vote.
Name Calling: The phrase 'Socialist Dream Team' uses a derogatory political label to discredit the group rather than address their policies — for example: Socialist Dream Team
Scapegoating: The sentence blames a specific group and individual for the complex economic problem of high prices, implying direct causation without evidence — for example: is bringing record high prices to PA with the help of Bob Brooks
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The claim of 'record high prices' is an extreme superlative assertion presented without supporting data — for example: record high prices
Loaded Language: The phrase 'socialist storm' uses emotionally charged language designed to trigger fear and alarm rather than convey factual information — for example: 'socialist storm'
Appeal to Fear: The sentence frames a dire threat of a 'socialist storm taking over PA' to create anxiety and compel action — for example: 'socialist storm from taking over PA'
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence implies only two options: either help stop the 'socialist storm' or allow it to take over, leaving no room for nuanced political positions — for example: 'Will you help STOP the socialist storm from taking over PA'
False Urgency: The imperative 'Make your plan to vote' paired with the preceding fear-based framing creates artificial urgency to act immediately without deliberation — for example: 'Make your plan to vote'
Name Calling
Scapegoating
Exaggeration/Hyperbole
Loaded Language
Appeal to Fear
Black-and-White Fallacy
False Urgency
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by America PACfrom 2026-09-23spend $200–2992,000–2,999 impressions
Bob Brooks is the latest member of the Socialist Dream Team. Will you let them take over PA?
Bob Brooks is the latest member of the Socialist Dream Team. Will you let them take over PA?
Name Calling: The label 'Socialist Dream Team' is used as a derogatory political label to discredit Bob Brooks by associating him with socialism rather than addressing his actual positions — for example: 'Socialist Dream Team'
Appeal to Fear: The rhetorical question implies a threatening takeover of Pennsylvania by a dangerous group, creating anxiety to provoke a defensive reaction — for example: 'let them take over PA'
Black-and-White Fallacy: The question frames the situation as a binary choice: either you stop them or they take over, leaving no room for nuanced positions — for example: 'Will you let them take over PA?'
False Urgency: The direct question 'Will you let them take over PA?' implies an imminent threat requiring immediate action, creating artificial urgency — for example: 'Will you let them take over PA?'
Name Calling
Appeal to Fear
Black-and-White Fallacy
False Urgency
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
An ad is on this page because its own "Paid for by" line is a campaign in this race; or it comes from a national Senate group and ran mostly in PA; or it ran mostly in PA and names a candidate — unless its sponsor is a campaign for some other office. Ads from outside groups appear alongside the campaigns' own.
Campaigns run one text as many separate ads. Identical text from the same sponsor is one card here, marked with its number of variants.
A technique is a specific manipulative move in the wording, found by our model and explained in one line. It is not a claim that the ad is false.
Claims are checked when a reader asks: press "Check this ad's claims" on a card. The check runs once and its result is shown to everyone afterwards. The ten ads with the most money behind them in each race are checked ahead of time.
Claim verdicts say what the cited sources say. A verdict that an ad is wrong or misleading is shown only when it cites an established fact-checker or an institutional record — Congress, a federal agency, a court — and its confidence is not low; a weaker one is not shown at all. Each verdict shows what it rests on and how confident it is. If we got one wrong, press Disagree: a verdict that readers dispute and no one defends comes down.
Video ads come from the campaigns' own YouTube channels; the transcript is analyzed. Meta ads are analyzed on their text; their video and images are not, yet.
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