Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti Enters Congressional Race

Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti (D) has announced her candidacy for Congress, targeting Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District and challenging incumbent Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA).

In a video marking her campaign launch, Cognetti criticized Bresnahan for his support of stock trading and his role regarding the Republican Mega Bill and Medicaid. She stated, “Rep. Rob Bresnahan lied when he promised to ban Congress’ stock trading and said he would protect access to healthcare. What’s even worse is that Bresnahan is playing the stock market while taking away our pain and ruining us in Washington.”

Cognetti noted that she was the first independent to run for mayor, highlighting her battle against “the democratic machinery of city hall.” She emphasized her administration’s achievements, such as cutting red tape, improving finances, attracting new businesses, and enhancing community safety through increased police presence.

Following her announcement, Democrats underscored an internal poll from the Democratic majority PAC that showed Cognetti narrowly leading Bresnahan, 45% to 43%.

The district has been rated as “lean Republican” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. In the 2024 elections, Bresnahan successfully defeated former Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.). The district leaned toward Trump, who won by nine points, while Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) secured a four-point victory.

Bresnahan and other Pennsylvania officials have come under fire from House Democrats as the midterm elections approach. A memo from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee declared Bresnahan “the swamp poster child,” pointing to his stock trading practices as a potential scandal that could cost him his seat.

The National Republican Congressional Committee responded by criticizing Cognetti’s timing and priorities. NRCC spokesman Riley Richardson remarked, “By jumping into the council race before closing the mayor’s re-election bid, Paige Cognetti is showing voters exactly where her real priorities lie. She is focusing on government-run healthcare, open borders, and taxes while Rep. Rob Bresnahan continues to deliver results in northeastern Pennsylvania.”