Republican candidate faces allegations of embellishing his résumé, ‘fabricating’ a career in real estate
Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District is expected to be a competitive race in the 2026 midterms. Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie won the seat in 2024 by 1% of the vote and is running for reelection against Democrat Bob Brooks, the former president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association.
The two campaigns have exchanged attacks during the race. Mackenzie has called Brooks a “fraud,” “conman,” “lobbyist,” “dumpster fire candidate” and “union boss,” while Mackenzie’s campaign manager said Brooks has “all the hallmarks of a common criminal,” according to The Guardian.
Mackenzie’s professional background is now also being questioned, specifically references to his experience in real estate. The Guardian reported that his campaign materials and other biographies have described him as having worked in the field.
Mackenzie’s real estate résumé is under scrutiny
Mackenzie received a Pennsylvania real estate salesperson’s license in 2006, but it expired in 2008 and was not renewed. During that period, he worked for the Republican Federal Committee of Pennsylvania and the US Department of Labor.
References to real estate have appeared in several of Mackenzie’s professional biographies, similar to the résumé controversy involving Madison Cawthorn. His LinkedIn profile describes him as a “real estate salesperson licensed in PA,” while his Pennsylvania state House biography lists “licensed real estate sales” as part of his professional history.
Mackenzie’s congressional biography also references the license, stating that he “earned his real estate sales license before entering public service.” His campaign told Patch.com in 2012 that he had “private sector experience as a real estate salesperson.”
Mackenzie also discussed the license himself in a 2012 interview with a local Pennsylvania news outlet. He said he had worked at the US Department of Labor and had previously held a real estate salesperson’s license.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has challenged how Mackenzie’s real estate experience has been presented. DCCC spokesperson Eli Cousin told the Guardian that Mackenzie and his allies had “fabricated a career … that never existed.”
Mackenzie’s campaign has not said whether he ever used his real estate license or made any sales. His spokesperson dismissed the references to real estate as “passing mentions, mostly from third parties.”
A 2025 Harvard Business School event listing described Mackenzie as someone who would discuss his career path “from the real estate sector to public service.” Harvard Business School did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the Guardian.
A 2025 voter guide published by Boeing’s political action committee also stated that “Mackenzie worked in real estate.” Mackenzie’s campaign has not clarified whether he actually worked in the industry or made any sales while licensed.
Mackenzie’s congressional biography also references the license, stating that he “earned his real estate sales license before entering public service.” His campaign told Patch.com in 2012 that he had “private sector experience as a real estate salesperson,” similar to how Trump’s ambassador pick faced qualification questions.
Mackenzie has previously faced scrutiny over a separate claim about his personal biography. In 2024, it emerged that a 2020 Tinder profile attributed to him listed his age as 29 when he was actually 37, and his office did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the allegation.
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