Cognetti Will Challenge Bresnahan for 8th District Seat
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti runs against Representative Rob Bresnahan Jr. in a high-stakes Pennsylvania race.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Elections
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Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti is challenging Representative Rob Bresnahan Jr. for Pennsylvania's 8th District House seat ahead of the November 2026 election. The contest is one of four competitive races in the state that could help determine which party holds the House majority.
Why it matters
Democrats need a net gain of three seats to control the House, making Pennsylvania's competitive districts critical to the national legislative balance. Cognetti hopes to flip the seat by campaigning on anti-corruption reforms.
Outside groups have invested over $10 million into the 8th District, including $3 million from the Congressional Leadership Fund and $1.7 million from the House Majority PAC. Inside Elections currently rates the race as a Toss-up.
The players
Paige Cognetti
She has served as the mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania, since 2020.
Rob Bresnahan Jr.
He is the current U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 8th District.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States.
The details
Cognetti, who has served as Scranton mayor since 2020, promotes an anti-corruption platform that includes proposing term limits and banning corporate PAC donations. Bresnahan, who defeated Matt Cartwright in 2024, is emphasizing his support for labor unions and his efforts to secure funding for the district.
Timeline
In 2019, Paige Cognetti won a special mayoral election.
Paige Cognetti began serving as Scranton mayor in 2020.
Rob Bresnahan Jr. defeated Matt Cartwright in 2024.
The 2026 general election occurs next month.
Political Context
Supporters of the incumbent argue that the substantial outside investment is necessary to defend the district against national Democratic spending efforts. Critics of the current campaign finance system contend that such large-scale expenditures from outside groups undermine local voter influence.
Residents of the 8th District will see continued high levels of campaign advertising and outreach as the election nears. The outcome of this race will directly influence which party controls the House and the resulting federal legislative priorities.
The takeaway
Voters should review the candidates' specific policy stances on campaign finance and local funding to understand how each would represent district interests. Comparing the platforms of Cognetti and Bresnahan provides insight into the broader priorities of the competing parties.
Further reading
Find more updates on the upcoming vote in the Pennsylvania Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Roll Call.
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