Have It All: Cognetti Runs for Mayor and Congress

Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti is pursuing reelection to City Hall this November while also launching a campaign for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 8th District, a rare dual run that has drawn both criticism and praise.

Cognetti announced earlier this month that she would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Congressman Rob Bresnahan in 2026, even as she campaigns for another four-year mayoral term. The move, which some analysts call a gamble, ensures she has a political seat regardless of the outcome.

Her campaign branding often leans on the slogan “Paige Against the Machine,” positioning her as an independent-minded reformer. But Cognetti’s rise was aided by a coalition that included the Scranton PAC and established local donors — a mix critics describe as part of the very “machine” she campaigns against.

Supporters argue the dual run reflects transparency and voter choice. “She’s being upfront about her intentions and letting the people decide,” one Democratic strategist told WVIA News. Others see it differently. “It’s hedging her bets,” said a local political observer. “The question is whether Scranton gets the full-time mayor it needs.”

Cognetti’s critics have pointed to ongoing issues at home, including controversy over the city’s Human Relations Commission after one of its members, Michael Villa, was arrested last month — an issue she has yet to directly address. They argue that while the city faces challenges with infrastructure, public safety, and budgeting, Cognetti is spending time building a national profile with appearances on national media outlets.

Republican congressional incumbent Rob Bresnahan’s campaign has accused her of neglecting local responsibilities in favor of “cheerleading for the Biden-Harris agenda in Washington.” Trish Beynon, Cognetti’s GOP challenger in the mayoral race, has also criticized her for “piling up failures” while dividing her focus between two offices.

Cognetti has not publicly addressed the criticism directly, but her administration points to accomplishments in financial recovery, police expansion, and infrastructure investment as evidence she remains engaged in city affairs.

The dual campaigns set up a unique political test. If Cognetti wins reelection in Scranton this fall and pursues a successful congressional run in 2026, she would leave City Hall before completing her second term, forcing another mayoral succession. For now, she remains on both ballots — one local, one national — with Scranton voters left to decide whether they see ambition or divided priorities.