Democrats are fired up. Some MAGA voters are questioning whether to show up. And in one of America’s most closely watched congressional battlegrounds, that divide could have enormous implications for the fight over control of the House.

The Real News Network traveled to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, home to the fiercely contested 7th Congressional District, to speak directly with voters about the issues, frustrations, and political ideas shaping their decisions for the 2026 midterm elections.
From Allentown to Bethlehem, we talked with voters across the political spectrum about what motivates them to head to the polls and what might convince others to stay home.
In a district where Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie faces Democratic challenger Bob Brooks, questions about economic inequality, the cost of living, war and the role of government are taking center stage.

We also explore the debate over socialism and progressive economic ideas. While mainstream media’s political commentary often portrays socialism as politically toxic, conversations with voters raise interesting questions about how those ideas are actually being received on the ground.

Could voter enthusiasm, political disillusionment, and changing attitudes toward economic policy help shape the outcome of one of the country’s most closely watched House races?
Join Taya Graham and Stephen Janis for an on-the-ground look at Pennsylvania’s 7th District, where the battle for Congress is playing out one voter at a time.

Credits:

  • Production/Post-production: Taya Graham, Stephen Janis
Transcript

A transcript will provided when ready

Creative Commons License

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

Senior Investigative Reporter & Capitol Hill Correspondent

Taya Graham is an award-winning investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker, and Capitol Hill Correspondent whose work bridges rigorous reporting with deep community impact. As the host of The Police Accountability Report at The Real News Network, she has become a trusted voice for transparency in policing and governance, using a mix of field reporting, data analysis, and citizen storytelling to expose systemic injustices. The show has garnered more than 50 million views across platforms, drawing a national audience to issues of accountability and reform.

Her work spans platforms and audiences, from producing Truth and Reconciliation, the acclaimed WYPR podcast exploring race and justice, to co-directing the award-winning documentaries The Friendliest Town and Tax Broke. Her five-year investigation into Baltimore’s tax incentive system (TIFs and PILOTs) revealed how corporate subsidies perpetuate inequality, sparking legislative action and community advocacy.

In addition to her reporting, Taya played a key role in shaping The Real News Network’s internal policies and labor framework, including helping draft the language around the organization’s AI policy in its collective bargaining agreement. Her work ensured that innovation and worker protections coexist, setting a model for how newsrooms can adopt technology responsibly.

Taya’s career began at The Afro-American Newspaper and Historic Black University Morgan State Radio, where she honed her craft in public service storytelling. She continues to lead with the belief that journalism should not only inform but empower—meeting new audiences where they are and inspiring them to engage in the democratic process.

Senior Investigative Reporter & Capitol Hill Correspondent
Stephen Janis is an award-winning investigative journalist, author, and documentary filmmaker whose work has shaped accountability journalism in Baltimore and beyond. As a Capitol Hill Correspondent and senior reporter at The Real News Network, he continues to uncover the systems behind inequality, corruption, and power while turning complex investigations into stories that inspire reform and public engagement.

His first feature documentary, The Friendliest Town, was distributed by Gravitas Ventures and received an Award of Distinction from The Impact Doc Film Festival and a Humanitarian Award from The Indie Film Fest. He co-created and co-hosts The Police Accountability Report, which has reached more than fifty million viewers on YouTube and helped spark national conversations on policing and transparency. His work has also appeared on Unsolved Mysteries (Netflix), Dead of Night (Investigation Discovery), Relentless (NBC), and Sins of the City (TV One).

Stephen has co-authored several books on policing, corruption, and the roots of violence, including Why Do We Kill: The Pathology of Murder in Baltimore and You Can’t Stop Murder: Truths About Policing in Baltimore and Beyond. He also co-hosts the true crime podcast Land of the Unsolved, which investigates cold cases through a lens of justice and accountability.

Before joining The Real News Network, Stephen worked as an investigative producer for WBFF Fox 45, where his reporting earned three Capital Emmys. Known for embracing technology as a tool for social awareness, he uses data analysis, digital production, and emerging storytelling platforms to connect investigative journalism with younger audiences while maintaining its integrity and depth.

Stephen’s work is grounded in clarity, empathy, and a belief that journalism should not only expose the truth but empower people to act on it.