Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro endorsed Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti in her campaign for the Democratic nomination to run for Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District seat held by Republican U.S. Rob Bresnahan of Dallas Twp.
President Donald Trump in November endorsed Bresnahan for reelection in the 2026 midterms, touting the first-term GOP congressman as a “terrific” representative for the 8th District, which includes all of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike counties and parts of Monroe and Luzerne counties.
Shapiro — in his endorsement of Cognetti announced Thursday — called her an independent-minded reformer who will fight to root out corruption in Washington and work with anyone to make life more affordable for NEPA families.
“Mayor Paige Cognetti has been a fighter for Scranton — taking on corruption, making government faster and more efficient, and bringing people together to get stuff done for hard working families,” Shapiro said in the announcement. “Paige restored trust in city hall by working hard for the communities she serves — and I know that’s the approach to public service she will bring to Congress. I know Paige will continue to be my partner in getting stuff done for Pennsylvanians — and I’m proud to endorse her in this campaign to win and go to Congress to protect our freedoms and deliver for NEPA families.”
Cognetti said in the same announcement: “I’m incredibly proud to have the support of Governor Josh Shapiro, who has shown that government can actually get things done when our leaders prioritize the people they serve instead of their own self interest. In Congress, I will take on the corruption in Washington that has led to a cost of living crisis which has put the American dream out of reach for so many in our community. I look forward to partnering with Governor Shapiro to lower costs for families in Northeastern Pennsylvania and give them a government that works as hard as they do.”
Cognetti sailed to reelection as Scranton’s mayor in 2025 and last month began her seventh year as mayor.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti speaks during Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s visit to Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
From left: Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, Scranton Tomorrow CEO Leslie Collins, and Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro chat while walking through dowtown Scranton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Bresnahan won the 8th District seat in the House of Representatives in the 2024 general election by narrowly defeating six-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Matt Cartwright of Moosic.
Bresnahan’s victory helped the GOP hold a slim House majority it used last year to pass Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act and other elements of his legislative agenda. Bresnahan’s reelection in the 8th District would bolster Republicans’ chances of holding the House, maintaining unified control of Congress and breaking the “midterm curse” — the tendency for the incumbent president’s party to lose congressional seats during the midterms.
Trump’s endorsement of Bresnahan that came in a Nov. 2 post on the president’s Truth Social platform said: “A Highly Successful Businessman, Rob is working hard to Create Jobs, Cut Taxes, Stop Wasteful Spending, and Unleash the American Dream. In his next term, Rob will help us Secure the Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military, Support our Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment. Rob Bresnahan has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa., speaks before President Donald Trump arrives at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mt. Pocono, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Matt Rourke/AP)
President Donald Trump dances after speaking at Mount Airy Casino Resort, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Mount Pocono, Pa. (Alex Brandon/AP)
Meanwhile, retired state administrative officer Francis McHale of Scranton also last year announced his intent to run in the 2026 Democratic primary for the party nod in the 8th Congressional District race.
The primary election will be held on May 19. The window for prospective candidates seeking spots on Democratic or Republican primary ballots to circulate and file nomination petitions opens Feb. 17 and runs through March 10.
The winners in primaries will advance to run in the Nov. 3 general election.
Jeff Horvath, staff writer, contributed to this report.