Democrat Paige Cognetti Unseats GOP Rep. Rob Bresnahan In Pennsylvania
Democrat Paige Cognetti, the mayor of Scranton, unseated Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan on Tuesday in Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District, flipping the northeastern Pennsylvania seat in a closely watched U.S. House race.[1]
The Associated Press called the race for Cognetti at 10:41 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, cementing a defeat for Bresnahan as he sought a second term representing the district, which includes Scranton and surrounding communities.[1]
Cognetti entered the race with a high profile in the region as Scranton's mayor, a role that gave her a base in one of the district's key population centers.[1] Bresnahan, a Republican incumbent first elected in 2024, had been trying to secure a second term in a district that has swung between the parties over the past several cycles, making it a priority target for Democrats this year.[1]
Control of seats like Pennsylvania's 8th will help determine which party controls the narrowly divided House next year, and national party organizations had focused money and organizing muscle on the contest. Cognetti's victory returns the district to Democratic hands and underscores the continuing importance of Scranton-area voters, who have been at the center of both parties' efforts to win over working-class and suburban constituencies.[1]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📌 Key Facts
- Paige Cognetti, a Democrat and mayor of Scranton, won Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District U.S. House race.
- Cognetti defeated Republican incumbent Rob Bresnahan, who was seeking a second term in Congress.
- The Associated Press declared Cognetti the winner at 10:41 p.m. EST on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time