Watch Affordable PA’s Eighth Ad “Michelle” Here

January 13, 2026

Bethlehem, PENNSYLVANIA - Today, Affordable Pennsylvania launched a new digital ad calling out Congressman Ryan Mackenzie for supporting Trump’s sweeping global tariff policies that is making life unaffordable for working families in the Lehigh Valley.

The ad, “Michelle,” features Bethlehem resident and school therapist Michelle Ritter-Santana, who criticizes Rep. Mackenzie’s support for tariffs that are jacking up prices on his constituents and calls on the congressman to stand up for the basic needs of Pennsylvania families and children and oppose these extreme tariffs.

“As a school psychologist, therapist, and mother living in Bethlehem, I see everyday how policy decisions in Washington affect our community – especially in the lives of our children. These tariffs are creating hardship for our Lehigh Valley families and these children can feel the pressure that rising costs are putting on their caretakers,” said Michelle Ritter-Santana, PA-07 constituent and therapist. “At a time when grocery prices are soaring and people are struggling to get by, how can we put this burden on our children? Why are working families the ones footing the bill while the wealthiest Americans get richer through tax breaks? Congressman Ryan Mackenzie needs to stand up for these families, oppose these harmful tariffs, and fight for lower costs.”

Congressman Mackenzie has voted four times to keep Trump’s tariffs in place while prices for Lehigh Valley businesses and families continue to skyrocket. Due to these tariffs, grocery prices have skyrocketed, Mack Trucks laid off hundreds of workers at its Lehigh Valley Operations center, and some local companies are considering moving their manufacturing overseas. One local business, IPVM based in Bethlehem Township, was sanctioned by China in retaliation for tariffs.

This is Affordable Pennsylvania’s fourth ad focused on rising costs due to tariffs. These ads highlight small business owners, community leaders, and constituents in PA-07 and PA-10 calling on their representatives, Ryan Mackenzie and Scott Perry, to stand up to Trump and fight for lower costs. Last month, Affordable Pennsylvania also launched billboards calling on Reps. Mackenzie (PA-07), Bresnahan (PA-08) and Perry (PA-10) to address tariffs that were contributing to rising holiday costs.

Congressman Mackenzie has voted four times to keep Trump’s tariffs in place while prices for Lehigh Valley businesses and families continue to skyrocket. Due to these tariffs, grocery prices have skyrocketed, Mack Trucks laid off hundreds of workers at its Lehigh Valley Operations center, and some local companies are considering moving their manufacturing overseas. One local business, IPVM based in Bethlehem Township, was sanctioned by China in retaliation for tariffs.

This is Affordable Pennsylvania’s fourth ad focused on rising costs due to tariffs. These ads highlight small business owners, community leaders, and constituents in PA-07 and PA-10 calling on their representatives, Ryan Mackenzie and Scott Perry, to stand up to Trump and fight for lower costs. Last month, Affordable Pennsylvania also launched billboards calling on Reps. Mackenzie (PA-07), Bresnahan (PA-08) and Perry (PA-10) to address tariffs that were contributing to rising holiday costs.

Read a Transcript of “Michelle” Below:

Michelle: I’m a school therapist in a low-income district.

There are kids asking how early they can get a job so they can help their families make ends meet.

Or saying they don’t look forward to summer because at school they have food and electricity.

And honestly, their parents are working multiple jobs.

I don’t think that it’s right.

These families need lower costs.

But Congressman Ryan Mackenzie voted to support tariffs.

Making it even more expensive to put food on the table and keep the lights on.

Mackenzie needs to put our families first.

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