{"id":2604723,"date":"2026-05-19T20:40:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T00:40:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/paige-cognetti-to-face-rob-bresnahan-in-pas-8th-district-general-election\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T20:40:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T00:40:51","slug":"paige-cognetti-to-face-rob-bresnahan-in-pas-8th-district-general-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/paige-cognetti-to-face-rob-bresnahan-in-pas-8th-district-general-election\/","title":{"rendered":"Paige Cognetti to face Rob Bresnahan in PA\u2019s 8th District general election"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpaige-cognetti-to-face-rob-bresnahan-in-pas-8th-district-general-election%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2604723&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, a former independent turned Democrat, will run in November for Pennsylvania\u2019s 8th congressional District against freshman Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan. Both candidates advanced to the general election without opposition in their party primaries, setting up a highly competitive and expensive House race that could affect control of Congress.<\/p>\n<p>Cognetti\u2019s campaign has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-democrats-eye-four-gop-held-pennsylvania-seats-in-majority-quest\/\" title=\"... Democrats eye four ... in majority quest\">emphasized anti-corruption<\/a> and economic growth, and she has been the incumbent officeholder since 2020.Though,she has faced criticism for past comments faulting President Joe Biden\u2019s handling of the southern border,with critics saying she did not raise those concerns publicly while Biden was still in office.<\/p>\n<p>Bresnahan has faced scrutiny over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrat-congressman-allegedly-failed-to-disclose-stock-trades-during-pandemic-extremely-concerning\/\" title=\"Democrat ...man Allegedly Failed To Disclose ... During Pandemic: \u2018Extremely Concerning\u2019\">stock trading activity<\/a> that appears to conflict with his campaign message supporting a ban on members of Congress <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/after-ethics-review-fed-bars-top-officials-from-trading-individual-stocks\/\" title=\"After Ethics Review, Fed Bars Top Officials From Trading Individual Stocks\">trading individual stocks<\/a>. He has denied wrongdoing, saying he does not direct his own trades and relies on financial advisers, while asserting his voting aligns with his constituents\u2019 interests.<\/p>\n<p>in fundraising, Cognetti outraised Bresnahan in April, bringing in just under $495,000 compared with Bresnahan\u2019s just under $315,000, according to the latest reports.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Scranton Mayor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/paigeforpa.com\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/paigeforpa.com\/\">Paige Cognetti<\/a>, a former independent who later joined the Democratic Party, will face freshman Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/4504922\/pennsylvania-house-race-democrats-union-support\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4504922\">Rob Bresnahan<\/a> (R-PA)\u00a0in November\u2019s race for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pennsylvania\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"629\">Pennsylvania<\/a>\u2018s 8th Congressional District.<\/p>\n<p>Cognetti, whose campaign has focused heavily on anti-corruption measures and economic growth, cruised through Tuesday\u2019s Democratic primary without opposition. Bresnahan also advanced uncontested on the Republican side, setting up a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >high-stakes general election<\/a> that could determine control of the House.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4573419\/andy-barr-daniel-cameron-kentucky-senate-gop-primary-results\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump-backed Andy Barr wins Kentucky Senate primary to succeed McConnell<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4575443\/texas-mess-chuck-schumer-democrats-better-shape-flip-state\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018Texas is a huge mess\u2019: Chuck Schumer says Democrats are in better shape to flip state<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4575292\/trump-massie-withdraw-fake-statement-endorsement-text\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018WITHDRAW YOUR FAKE STATEMENT,\u2019 Trump tells Massie over old endorsement text<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>The northeastern Pennsylvania showdown between Cognetti, who has led former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"471\">President Joe Biden<\/a>\u2018s hometown since 2020, and Bresnahan is expected to rank among the nation\u2019s most competitive and costly House races.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4554723\/what-to-know-pennsylvania-primary-race\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4554723\/what-to-know-pennsylvania-primary-race\/\"><strong>WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY RACES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti speaks during a campaign event for President Joe Biden in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on April 16, 2024. (AP Photo\/Matt Rourke)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Cognetti, Scranton\u2019s first female mayor, has faced criticism over past remarks faulting Biden\u2019s handling of the southern border, which she described as \u201creally terrible\u201d and a \u201chuge misstep.\u201d Critics have argued she did not publicly voice those concerns while Biden was still in office.<\/p>\n<p>Bresnahan, meanwhile, has drawn scrutiny over stock trades that appeared to clash with his campaign support for banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks. The issue was central to his 2024 bid, when he unseated a Democratic incumbent in a district that also backed President Donald Trump over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris by a 53.8%-45.4% margin.<\/p>\n<p>Since arriving in Congress, Bresnahan, who became chief financial officer of his family\u2019s highway electrical company at 19 and later rose to CEO after college, has reported buying and selling roughly $7.2 million in stock, according to disclosure filings. Some of the transactions involved companies connected to Medicaid ahead of a major vote on Trump\u2019s signature One Big Beautiful Bill Act.<\/p>\n<p>Bresnahan has denied any wrongdoing, saying he does not personally direct his trades and instead relies on financial advisers. He has maintained that his votes in Congress are guided by the interests of his northeastern Pennsylvania constituents.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) speaks before President Donald Trump arrives at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo\/Matt Rourke)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4557190\/house-democrats-eye-four-pennsylvania-seats-majority\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4557190\">HOUSE DEMOCRATS EYE FOUR GOP-HELD PENNSYLVANIA SEATS IN MAJORITY QUEST <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No congressional candidate in Pennsylvania raised more than Cognetti\u2019s campaign in April, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hakeem-jeffries-counting-on-liberal-winning-wi-supreme-court\/\" title=\"Hakeem Jeffries Counting On Liberal Winning WI Supreme Court\">latest campaign finance reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Cognetti raised just under $495,000\u00a0from the beginning of the month through April 29. Bresnahan raised just under\u00a0$315,000 during the same time period.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti will face Rep. Rob Bresnahan in November\u2019s race for PA\u2019s 8th District<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2604724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bresnahancollage-e1779206056721.jpg?1779191708&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[79957,79958,60461],"class_list":["post-2604723","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-paige-cognetti","tag-pennsylvania-8th-district","tag-rob-bresnahan"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bresnahancollage-e1779206056721.jpg?1779191708&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2604723","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2604723"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2604723\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2604727,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2604723\/revisions\/2604727"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2604724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2604723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2604723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2604723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}