LEHIGHTON, Pa. - Congresswoman Susan Wild is taking heat, again, for comments she made about Carbon County. She's trying to win re-election this year, and her opponents say she's showing her true colors. Now, Wild herself is speaking out.
An event outside of Congresswoman's Susan Wild's Lehighton office Thursday was organized by one of her challengers, 7th Congressional District candidate Maria Montero.
"Susan Wild not once but twice has attacked the people of Carbon County," said Montero.
Montero highlighted a recent Zoom call, where Wild said she was dismayed when Carbon County became part of her district because residents had drunk the "Trump Kool-Aid."
"You don't say things like they drank the Kool-Aid because you know what it does? It closes down conversation and opportunity and what makes America great is we have the right to speak our minds freely," said Montero.
This is two years after Wild also took heat for saying the county's residents need to be schooled over their support for former President Trump.
State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie is another candidate vying to represent PA's 7th Congressional District.
He released a statement, saying, "What Susan Wild said is just plain wrong. That is why I made my beliefs clear immediately - Susan Wild needs to apologize and should step down."
We spoke to Congresswoman Wild, who did the first of those two things.
"I am so very sorry to the people of Carbon County for saying such a stupid thing, and in no way reflects the feelings that I have about the constituents that I have represented since last January," said Wild.
Wild said she's honored and privileged to represent Carbon, and noted remarks were taken out of context, including that one from a couple of years ago.
"That comment was made before I even represented the people of Carbon County, didn't get to know them," said Wild. "I felt very strongly that President Trump's policies were not beneficial to rural America."
She says her track record shows she's devoted to getting work done in Carbon, as she's secured $400,000 in federal money for Palmerton Fire Department, and $8 million more for other county projects. She also noted she's currently working on a variety of issues specific to the county, like child care and rural health care.
Republican Kevin Dellicker is also running for Wild’s seat. He released a statement, saying in part: "Susan Wild is at again expressing her disdain for the people of Carbon County and blue-collar, hardworking Americans across her district. This is the second time the 'centrist' Susan Wild has publicly disparaged the people of Carbon County."
