Bresnahan and Cognetti Agree to PA-08 Debate

Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan and Democratic challenger Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti committed this week to face off in a WVIA Congressional Debate on the evening of Oct. 29.

The 55-minute event will take place at WVIA’s studios in Jenkins Township and air live on WVIA-TV, WVIA Radio, and the station’s website and social media channels. It will also be made available to other local media outlets.

Bresnahan announced his acceptance first on X. “I have accepted a debate with WVIA against Paige Cognetti,” the first-term congressman posted. “The voters deserve to hear about her Radical Ideology, Failure in Scranton, and association with the Democratic Machine."

In additional statements, Bresnahan said voters in Northeastern Pennsylvania “deserve to hear directly from the candidates about the issues that matter most to them” and pledged to highlight his work, including tax relief and a bipartisan bill aimed at lowering food costs. He contrasted his local roots with what he called Cognetti’s “liberal Portland values.” Cognetti framed the contest as a choice between a reformer and a congressman focused on self-interest, citing stock trades and votes she said harmed the region.

Bresnahan, a Dallas Township Republican and heavy highway electrical contractor, flipped the seat in 2024 by narrowly defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Matt Cartwright. Cognetti, mayor of Scranton since 2020, entered the race last year and faced no primary opposition. The district covers all of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike counties and parts of Luzerne and Monroe.

Both the Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate the Pennsylvania 8th as a Toss-up. The matchup is shaping up to be a top race in the country this fall, with national implications for control of the House as Democrats seek to regain the majority and Republicans work to hold it during the second Trump administration. Election Day is Nov. 3.

WVIA has said the public will be invited to attend, with details on how to sign up to be released later. The debate comes just days before voters head to the polls in a district that has drawn significant fundraising and national attention throughout the cycle.