Upper Bucks Man To Challenge Congressman Fitzpatrick In 2022

Bradley Lanning and his family.
Credit: Submitted

A Republican from Upper Bucks County has announced he plans to challenge Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick in the 2022 primary election.

Bradley Lanning, who resides with his family in the Perkasie area, filed paperwork to run against Fitzpatrick on November 1, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Lanning, a realtor who said he has worked with small businesses over his professional career, said in his announcement that he will “champion the America First governing philosophy.” He also said he will support the Second Amendment, stand with Israel, reject vaccine and mask mandates, incentivize development of cleaner energy while supporting domestic oil and gas industries, and make sure the “voices of Americans are not drowned out by big corporations, special interest groups, international activists, and lobbyists.”

Lanning will have a steep hill to climb as he challenges the three-term Republican incumbent from Middletown Township. Fitzpatrick has a large campaign bank account, support from national Republicans, and has defeated past challengers.

“Over the years, Brian has framed himself as a moderate candidate in a purple county. But on the big economic and social issues, he is far from moderate. As his voting record has clearly demonstrated, he is a part of the far-left socialist machine that seeks to destroy this nation,” Lanning said when he announced his campaign recently.

“Brian is joining forces with those seeking to destroy everything that makes this country great in the name of a great slogan,” Lanning further stated, pointing to Fitzpatrick’s support Paris Climate Agreement and the Equality Act.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick at hearing in February 2018.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

Fitzpatrick has broken with the majority of Republicans on some key votes, including health care. He has crafted his brand carefully as a more moderate Republican than some of those in his party who have fallen behind former President Donald Trump.

While Fitzpatrick did not vote for Donald Trump in 2016, he said he voted for him last year and received an endorsement from Trump in the final stretch of the 2020 election. The congressman called for Trump to be censured but not impeached after the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Fitzpatrick is co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.

Despite Fitzpatrick framing himself as a moderate member of the party, he has gained support from his Republican peers in Washington D.C. Prominent Republicans like former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and U.S. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise have supported Fitzpatrick.

Following his 2021 election victory, Fitzpatrick was asked to consider a run for U.S. Senate in 2022, a race that is seen as key for both parties. Sources close to Fitzpatrick, who believes in term limits but has not stated how many he will serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, told LevittownNow.com the congressman spent time feeling out the U.S. Senate race, but ultimately decided not enter the primary.

Fitzpatrick campaign did not comment on Lanning entering the race.