Bucks County Commissioner and Democratic congressional candidate Bob Harvie got qa big campaign boost Monday when the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced it it adding him to its 2026 “Red to Blue” program today, notching a coveted endorsement by the national Democratic Party’s campaign arm.
Harvie seeks to become the Democrats standard-bearer in the May primary to unseat incumbent Republican Brian Fitzpatrick.
“Bob is the strongest candidate to take on Brian Fitzpatrick and finally give Bucks and Montgomery County families a leader in Congress who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable,” said DCCC Chairperson Suzan DelBene.
The “Red to Blue” program provides “top-tier” candidates with fundraising and organization support as well as resources, training and other strategic initiatives to help them win in highly competitive election races, according to the DCCC website.
“Bob Harvie is a proud son of Bucks County who has an undeniable record of showing up and serving the community that raised him,” DelBene said.
Pennsylvania’s first congressional district includes all of Bucks and a small portion of western Montgomery County.
“As a 26-year public school teacher, fourth-generation Bucks County resident, and Bucks County Commissioner with an over 90% bipartisan voting record, I know firsthand what working families in this district are up against and what kind of fighter they need in Congress,” said Bob Harvie. “My Republican opponent Brian Fitzpatrick has had ten years in Washington to make life better for our community, but all he has done is cash checks from his corporate donors while he does their bidding in Congress and costs rise for hardworking families here at home. I’m honored that the DCCC recognizes the strength of the campaign we are building and is invested in flipping this seat so that we can retake control of the House and restore the promise of the American Dream.”
Democrat Lucia Simonelli of Quakertown is also running in the May primary for a chance to oust Fitzpatrick in November.
Patrick Murphy was the last Democrat to represent the former eighth congressional district – what is now the first congressional district. Murphy, a U.S. armed services veteran, served in Congress from 2007 to 2011. Murphy was defeated by the late Michael Fitzpatrick (whom he initially defeated to take the seat). who also served as a Bucks County Commissioner. Brian Fitzpatrick is the brother of Michael.
According to a March poll released by Global Strategy Group, Fitzpatrick “is struggling” against Harvie. In fact, once voters learn more about Harvie, Fitzpatrick loses his name recognition advantage and trails the Falls Township Democrat.
“The poll shows that Harvie leads Fitzpatrick 46%-45% once Bucks and Montgomery County voters hear balanced messaging about both candidates,” Harvie’s campaign pointed out.
The Philadelphia Inquirer recently profiled Harvie and reported the race for PA-01 “could help determine which party controls the U.S. House” after the November mid-term elections.
The Inquirer declared that Harvie is “Democrats’ best chance of defeating Brian Fitzpatrick,” citing the fact that he is “battle-tested” and focused on “bread-and-butter affordability issues.”
Harvie has received endorsements from the Bucks County Democratic Committee, Montgomery County Democratic Committee, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Rep. Madeline Dean, the Transport Workers Union Local 234, Voter Protection Project, and all Democratic members of Pennsylvania’s state Senate and House delegations representing PA-01, among others.
