Issa drops out of GOP primary in 7th Congressional District race, endorses Montero
Mackenzie campaign says Issa raised job prospect at endorsement meeting; Montero team says it’s not true
Law student Allen Issa announced Friday that he ended his quest for the Republican nomination for the 7th District congressional seat and endorsed Maria Montero in her bid to seek the nomination.
Issa’s decision was announced in a statement from the Montero campaign, which noted Issa will join the campaign as a policy adviser and fundraiser.
“My campaign for Congress was driven by a deep commitment to our district's future, not personal ambition,” said Issa, who suspended his campaign to finish his law school studies at Penn State.
“I entered this race with a singular focus: to offer the leadership necessary to defeat the current incumbent, [Democrat] Susan Wild, and to bring about a new era of prosperity for our community. … It is clear to me that Maria Montero is the best equipped candidate not only to defeat Susan Wild, but also to serve the people of the district in Congress.”
Issa’s withdrawal from the race narrows the field of Republican candidates to three in the April 23 primary election. Tuesday is the deadline for candidates to file nomination petitions.
In the campaign, he raised $23,080 last year, the least amount of money compared to the three other candidates: Kevin Dellicker ($241,827), state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie ($203,832) and Montero ($147,783).
Dellicker out raises three GOP challengers in 7th Congressional District race
Issa’s parents emigrated from Syria to Allentown and named their son Allen after the city. He served as a congressional intern for four months last year and as a legal fellow to the House Judiciary Committee for three months in 2022, according to his LinkedIn page.
Before deciding to endorse Montero, Issa met and spoke with all three candidates.
Andres Weller, manager of the Mackenzie campaign, confirmed that Issa met with Mackenzie but that he also discussed a possible job.
“Mr. Issa explained that he was not going to get the signatures required to be a candidate on the ballot. After that, he let it be known that he was looking to endorse another candidate,” Weller said in an email.
“In this same conversation, Mr. Issa raised the issue of potential employment, and our candidate let it be known that no such offer could or would be made while still discussing a possible endorsement. At the end of the day, Mr. Issa endorsed Ms. Montero and appears to have found a candidate who was willing to immediately offer a position in conjunction with Mr. Issa's endorsement announcement.”
In response, Montero’s campaign said Issa is a volunteer and labeled the accusations against him as “false.”
“Mr. Issa’s position on the campaign is in a volunteer (unpaid) capacity. While Mr. Mackenzie is clearly disappointed that he did not merit Mr. Issa’s endorsement, that does not give him the right to make false, unsubstantiated claims. At no point in Mr. Issa’s discussions with the Montero campaign was the subject of a paid position raised. He expressed a desire to be a part of the campaign team, as a volunteer. Given his congressional experience, the Montero campaign looks forward to the added expertise he brings on policy issues.”
Dellicker, who also met with Issa, said in an emailed statement there was no discussion of employment with his campaign. Issa “did not ask for a job and we did not offer him any job or position either,” he said. "I had the chance to meet Allen on the campaign trail. He is a bright and energetic young man with a great future. I wish him well."
The 7th District comprises all of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties and a small portion of Monroe County.