If Cognetti wins both her mayoral and congressional races, a special election will be held to fill her mayoral seat.

Democrats see this district as a key target in the 2026 midterms, especially with the absence of Trump on the ballot, which could reduce Republican turnout.

Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti has announced her bid for Congress, positioning herself as an independent-minded Democrat aiming to unseat Republican incumbent Rob Bresnahan in a historically swing district.

The district, which has recently voted for Trump, is considered a challenging race, but Democrats are optimistic due to strong candidate recruitment and demographic shifts.

Cognetti has criticized Bresnahan’s stock trading activities, which involve over 375 transactions totaling more than $5 million, and has emphasized her commitment to representing working-class voters and improving government accountability.

She has received endorsements from prominent Democrats including Lt. Governor Austin Davis, Congressman Chris Deluzio, and former Congressman Matt Cartwright.

The race is closely watched, with internal polls showing Cognetti holding a slight lead over Bresnahan, and it is rated as 'leans Republican' by political analysts, with the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Republican critics have labeled Cognetti a 'far-left extremist' and oppose her positions on issues like open borders, Medicaid elimination, and defunding police, while her campaign emphasizes fighting corruption and improving local governance.

The race is expected to attract significant national attention, with the Republican National Campaign Committee challenging her electability and emphasizing the district's conservative voting history.

The district's voting pattern has become more conservative over the past decade, making it a crucial battleground alongside other Pennsylvania districts in the effort to regain control of the House.

The race is part of broader Democratic efforts to capitalize on lower Trump voter turnout and historical midterm trends favoring the president's party.

The contest highlights the importance of Pennsylvania in national politics, with the district near key political appointments and ongoing debates about election laws and voting rights.