In a bar in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a congressional candidate reads a letter. It is not a typical campaign promise. It is the resignation letter he sent to the Department of Justice (DOJ). His name is Ryan Crosswell. He quit his job as a federal prosecutor earlier this year. He left because of actions taken under President Donald Trump.
The crowd of Democratic activists cheers. Crosswell is running for Congress. He wants to unseat Republican Representative Ryan Mackenzie. The race is seen as crucial for control of the U.S. House in next year’s midterm elections.
Why Did Ryan Crosswell Quit?
Crosswell, 45, resigned in February. He quit after the Trump administration dropped corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The charges were dropped in return for the mayor’s cooperation on immigration enforcement.
Crosswell felt this was wrong. He believed it threatened the rule of law. His resignation letter prayed the DOJ would “remain dedicated to upholding the rule of law evenly without fear or favor.” He now reads this line at every campaign stop.
A Campaign Focused on Corruption
While many candidates talk about the economy, Crosswell is different. His main issue is government corruption and the justice system. He is a former active-duty Marine and current reservist. He uses his law enforcement background to connect with voters.
At the event, voters shared their fears. They worry about Trump’s use of power. They mention pardons for political allies and prosecutions of enemies. Some fear speaking Spanish in public. Others are afraid to criticize the government online.
“People aren’t asking, ‘How can my government protect me?’” Crosswell said. “It’s, ‘How can I protect myself from my government?’”
The Political Challenge
Crosswell faces a tough fight. Voters consistently rank economic issues as their top concern. A recent poll showed only 1 in 10 Americans cited government corruption as a major problem. The Democratic campaign committee says the election will be about “lowering costs” for Americans.
Crosswell argues that corruption is an economic issue. “Corruption is a kitchen table issue,” he says. He believes a corrupt government hurts everyday people financially.
He also has personal political baggage. He was a registered Republican until just one year ago. After resigning, he moved from Washington, D.C., to Allentown to run for office.
A Growing Trend
Crosswell is not alone. Other former federal officials are also running as Democrats this year. They include a former prosecutor in Kentucky and a former FBI official in New York. They are all running on similar messages of protecting democracy.
The race in Pennsylvania’s 7th district will be close. Mackenzie won his seat last year by just 1 percentage point. Democrats see it as a prime target. They hope Crosswell’s unique story and message can help them win.
