BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For the first time in decades, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild's itinerary is about to open up.
Wild's narrow defeat to Republican challenger Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District means she won't be part of the incoming Congress.
And, after working her way up to partner at the Allentown law firm Gross McGinley, Wild said her days inside the courtroom are likely behind her.
"I'm going to try to give myself the grace of the month of January to do nothing except things that are important to me personally," Wild said in an interview with LehighValleyNews.com. "I realized recently I haven't been unemployed since I was 14 years old."
But after that? The 67-year-old said she's still exploring her options.
Retirement isn't appealing to her. Sitting members of Congress can direct federal spending, so job interviews are on hold short of signing public disclosure forms. Whatever lies in store, Wild said she wants her next role to be something productive and helpful to the Lehigh Valley.
"I learned something new every single day on this job. Every single day."Outgoing U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley
Her biggest interest may be in the position she's leaving. Given the district's battleground status and the small margin of her loss — unofficial results show Mackenzie won by about 4,000 votes — Wild isn't viewing her defeat as a message from voters that her time in politics is over.
"I'm not going to make that kind of decision right now, but I think it's very much a possibility," Wild said of running again.
'The most fulfilling thing I have ever done'
Wild, of South Whitehall Township, has witnessed some major swings in American politics during her six years in Congress. She arrived in Washington following the 2018 midterm election as part of the "blue wave" meant to rein in then-President Donald Trump. During the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, her panicked face appeared on newscasts and front pages across the globe.
She's finishing her tenure as a member of the 118th Congress, which political observers have described as one of the least productive in American history. The divided Republican majority has struggled with some of the basics of governing; U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., became the first speaker in American history to lose his gavel on a motion passed by their own party.
"The work I could do here in my district, the work I could do for my constituents was hugely satisfying."U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley
Despite the long periods away from home, the constant fundraising and being the target of attack ads every two years, Wild said she would sign up for more.
Members of Congress come in with their own goals and priorities, but they also learn about societal challenges that regular citizens don't frequently think of, she said.
"The job was the most fulfilling thing I have ever done," she said. "The work I could do here in my district, the work I could do for my constituents was hugely satisfying. It made it worth all the crap that you have to deal with."
For Wild, that included efforts to lower the costs of prescription drugs. While she was aware that prices were high, she hadn't given it much attention prior to running for office since no one in her immediate family needed expensive medications.
But on the campaign trail, voter after voter told her how they were saddled with huge expenses for life-saving drugs, she said.
Proudest accomplishment
Congress eventually took action in 2022 by passing the Inflation Reduction Act. The wide-ranging law included provisions that capped the price of insulin and allowed Medicare to begin negotiating lower costs for select drugs. The first 10 drugs were announced in August, and a second round of negotiations over 15 more are set to begin in February.
"It really is about problem-solving and listening really well and being available to your district so that you are in a position to hear about what their problems are that you might not know anything about," she said. "I learned something new every single day on this job. Every single day."
Her proudest accomplishment, Wild said, was becoming a breadwinner for the Lehigh Valley. The U.S. Government Accountability Office found Wild successfully secured $26.2 million for the district between Fiscal Years 2022 and 2024 through congressionally directed spending.
"When I got there, I was determined to make sure people knew that we were the third-largest region, the fastest-growing region."U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley
That total doesn't include money for projects approved through separate laws, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bipartisan infrastructure deal provided $5 million toward $35 million of renovations at Lehigh Valley International Airport that streamlined the TSA security checkpoint.
"Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are sometimes the only things somebody thinks about when they think of Pennsylvania. When I got there, I was determined to make sure people knew that we were the third-largest region, the fastest-growing region," Wild said. "I think I've done a pretty good job of that."
The future of other local projects is less clear. Wild said she had no updates on a $93 million tentative, non-binding agreement between the U.S. Department of Commerce and semiconductor manufacturer Infinera. The deal called for the California-based company to construct a testing and assembly facility in South Bethlehem.
"I would hope the next administration will carry it forward. It's an important project for the Lehigh Valley," she said.
Still work to do
In the meantime, this term's final days are slipping by. It's unlikely major bills, including her effort to protect in vitro fertilization access, will come up for a vote. But important work still remains.
She and the rest of the House Ethics Committee will meet to discuss the investigation into former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is accused of sexual misconduct.
Gaetz resigned from office earlier this month after Trump nominated him to be his attorney general. Gaetz has since withdrawn his consideration, but his departure from the House ended the committee's investigation. Wild declined to comment on the situation but noted the committee could opt to release its findings if it reaches bipartisan consensus.
Her office will also spend its remaining time advocating for local constituents. Residents and businesses in the region frequently request assistance navigating the federal bureaucracy, such as trying to secure veterans' benefits, get assistance with the IRS or receive a visa or passport. Many of those local cases will be turned over to the incoming Mackenzie team, whom Wild said she has not heard from since conceding the election.
For its part, the Mackenzie transition team said Tuesday it has repeatedly contacted Wild's office but has not heard back. Mackenzie's staff provided texts and an email documenting its efforts.
She hoped that even people who disagreed with her politically will recognize the efforts she and her team made to improve the lives of people living in the region, she said.
"My heart and soul and brain were always focused on how can I do the best things for Pennsylvania 7," she said.
This story was updated Tuesday morning.
