Bernie-backed Dem’s pro-gun Clint Eastwood post, Kaepernick critique spurs apology in battleground race

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A Pennsylvania Democrat is apologizing for Facebook postsdefending police officersduring the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 and supporting gun rights as he runs for his party’s nomination in a key battleground race.

Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter and former union leader, is seeking to unseat Rep.Ryan Mackenzie, R-Penn., who was first elected in 2024 after beating Democratic incumbent Susan Wild by roughly 4,000 votes.Brooks has centered his campaign around appealing to blue-collar Americans without college degrees on a platform that includes advocating for vocational trades training and support for unions, while also embracing more liberal policies like Medicaid for All.

A local blogger argued Brooks should not run on the Democratic ticket because he posted apro-gun rights memeon his Facebook page a day after a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, in 2019,The Washington Postfirst reported.Twenty-three people were shot and killed by a white nationalist inside a Walmart.

Brooks shared a photo of Clint Eastwood holding a rifle with the following words overlaid on the image: “The problem is not guns.It’s hearts without God, homes without discipline, schools without prayer and courtrooms without justice.” The meme also included an image of a skull with the Roman numeral III across its forehead.The symbol is linked to the Three Percenters, a far-right extremist militia group rooted in anti-government ideology.

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Bob Brooks is a retired firefighter and is running for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 7th district(Bob Brooks for Congress)

On his campaign page, Brooks said he respects the Second Amendment and that he has been around guns his whole life.However, he is calling for stronger gun laws.

“We need common-sense laws: universal background checks, closing the gun show loophole, and enforcing waiting periods so dangerous people don’t get their hands on guns,” Brooks’ campaign page stated.“This wouldn’t change things for responsible gun owners, but it would for kids who are afraid to go to school.”

In another Facebook post from 2019, Brooks reportedly called NFL athleteColin Kaepernicka “douchebag” amid controversy over Kaepernick kneeling during the National Anthem to protest police brutality.Kaepernick had publicly pushed for Nike to pull merchandise featuring the Betsy Ross flag from retail, prompting Brooks to share a meme of the American flag with the phrase “Colin Kaepernick doesn’t like this flag, so I’m gonna share it.”

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie sitting at a desk in a committee hearing room

Rep.Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa., arrives for the House Education and Workforce Committee hearing titled “Beyond The Ivy League: Stopping the Spread of Antisemitism on American Campuses,” in Rayburn building on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images)

Amid the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 following the killing ofGeorge Floydby a Minneapolis police officer, Brooks wrote that people should not forget that there are good police officers.He cited police responses to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing as examples of officers stepping up to the call of duty.

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“I guess we have forgotten the good ones,” Brooks wrote.“Wanting change within the police departments to weed out the bad cops is fine.But please remember the good ones.”

A spokesperson for Brooks’s questions about Brooks’ previous social media rhetoric.Instead, the spokesperson said Brooks is endorsed by prominent Democratic and liberal leaders.

“Democrats across every corner of our party — from Governor Shapiro to Senator Bernie Sanders — are rallying behind Bob’s campaign because he is a 20-year firefighter and blue-collar American who can win over the working-class voters we need to win in November,” a spokesperson said in a statement.�”

In response to reports on theFacebook posts, Brooks accused “a bunch of DC insiders who don’t want more working people in office are selectively digging up years-old Facebook posts.” He also gave a vague apology.

Bernie Sanders and Bob Brooks pose for a photo

Sen.Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.and Congressional candidate Bob Brooks poses for a photo together.(Bob Brooks for Congress)

“I’ve shared a few stupid things over the years, and for that I am sorry,” Brooks said in a statement to the Washington Post.“I believe who I’ve fought for and my values have always been clear.”

Brooks’ left-leaning supporters like the Working Families Party remain loyal to his campaign.A spokesperson for the Working Families Party said in a statement that they are not interested in “polished politicians” but instead a “fighter” like Brooks.

“Bob is the only candidate in this race that has been a lifelong Democrat, supports progressive policies like Medicare for All, and has fought for working people throughout his life,” a spokesperson for the Working Families Party said.“For those reasons, we are proud to support his campaign for Congress.”

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Brooks has received endorsements from prominent Pennsylvania Democratic leaders, including Gov.Josh Shapiro and Lt.Gov.Austin Davis, as well as national Democratic figures such as Rep.Ro Khanna, D-Calif., Sen.Chris Coons, D-Del., Sen.Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Sen.Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Pennsylvania’s primaryis Tuesday, May 19.