Election 2026: Democrat Bob Harvie Running For U.S. Congress

Candidates running in the Nov. 3 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch when they are received.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Democrat Bob Harvie is running for the U.S. Congress in Pennsylvania's 1st District. He is challenging incumbent Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.

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Biological Information

Name: Bob Harvie
Town of Residence: Fallsington
Position Sought: Congress, PA-01
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Family: 2 children
Education: George Washington, Bachelor's; Holy Family University, Master's
Occupation: Vice-Chair, Bucks County Board of Commissioners

Questions

1. Why Are You Running For Congress?

I'm running for Congress because I believe every family deserves a fair shot at the American Dream. I was born and raised in Bristol Borough, spent 26 years teaching public school students, and have served as a Bucks County Commissioner for over six years. Throughout my life, I've seen firsthand how hard-working families work to make ends meet, raise their children, buy a home, and plan for retirement. Today, too many people are doing everything right but still struggling to get ahead. The cost of housing, healthcare, groceries, and energy is putting enormous pressure on families, and Washington needs to do more to address these challenges.

As a County Commissioner, I've worked across party lines, balanced our budgets, and focused on delivering results for the people I represent. I want to bring that same approach to Congress: putting people ahead of politics and working families ahead of billionaires and special interests. We need leaders who will stand up for affordable healthcare, lower costs, and fight corruption in D.C. I'm running to restore the American Dream and ensure that the next generation has the same opportunities that generations before us worked so hard to build.

2. How would you address the issue of affordability?

Affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing families in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and it will be my top priority in Congress. People are working hard, but the cost of groceries, housing, healthcare, childcare, and utilities continues to eat away at their paychecks. We need to give working families some breathing room by lowering everyday costs, protecting Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, and making sure corporations cannot take advantage of consumers simply to increase their profits. I also support reversing policies that drive up prices, including unnecessary tariffs that raise costs for American consumers and small businesses. Families should not have to choose between paying their bills, filling their prescriptions, and putting food on the table.

We also need to tackle the underlying problems that make it harder for people to get ahead. That means expanding access to affordable healthcare, lowering prescription drug prices, investing in workforce and starter homes, and making childcare more affordable. I support allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and capping insulin costs, and I believe we should expand opportunities for young people to pursue higher education and technical training without taking on a lifetime of debt. We must also address rising energy costs and protect consumers from unfair pricing practices. My goal is straightforward: an economy that works for the people who keep it running, not just the wealthy and well-connected.

3. What is your stance on the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine?

When it comes to Iran, we need to end this disastrous war. We have lost too many lives and all of us are paying more at the pump because of the horrible policies of this administration and a Congress that voted multiple times in favor of the Iran War, including Brian Fitzpatrick.

In Ukraine, I support the Ukrainian people's right to defend their sovereignty and determine their own future. Russia's invasion violated Ukraine's territorial integrity and the principles of national sovereignty that help keep the international community secure. The United States should continue working with our NATO allies and democratic partners to support Ukraine, strengthen European security, and pursue a just and lasting peace.

American assistance must be accountable, and our strategy should be clear about our goals and the responsibilities of our allies. Ultimately, strong American leadership means standing up to aggression, supporting our democratic partners, and using diplomacy alongside our security commitments to prevent conflicts from spreading and protect long-term American interests.

If elected, I would support investigating Elon Musk for his role in throttling Starlink.

4. Where do you stand on the nation's immigration policy?

Our immigration system is broken, and we need comprehensive reform that strengthens border security while treating people with dignity and fairness. The federal government has a responsibility to secure our borders, prevent the trafficking of drugs and people, and ensure that our immigration laws are enforced. But enforcement must be effective, lawful, and consistent with our constitutional rights. We should focus on dangerous criminals and genuine security threats rather than using fear and indiscriminate enforcement to target entire communities. We must also ensure that immigration enforcement agencies are trained properly, go through background checks, held accountable, operate transparently, and respect due process. Protecting our national security and upholding our American values are responsibilities that should go hand in hand.

5. If elected, will you reach across the aisle and work with the other party?

Absolutely. As a Bucks County Commissioner, I have an over 95 percent bipartisan voting record getting things done for the people of Bucks County. I've demonstrated that good government means working with people who may not agree with me on every issue. I've helped balance county budgets, worked to deliver essential services, and built bipartisan support for policies that benefit our residents. In local government, people expect you to solve problems, not spend all your time fighting with the other side. I believe Congress should operate the same way. Families in our communities do not care which party gets the credit when their roads are safer, their costs are lower, or their children have better opportunities. They care about whether their elected officials are getting the job done.

I will work with anyone, regardless of party, who is serious about delivering results for the people of Pennsylvania. That does not mean abandoning my principles or staying silent when I believe a policy will hurt working families. It means being willing to listen, find common ground, and build coalitions wherever possible.

Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District includes all of Bucks County and a portion of neighboring Montgomery County.