Overview

• Cognetti launched her campaign with an ad accusing Bresnahan of making more than 600 stock trades this year and of voting for a GOP package she says would cut Medicaid.
• Bresnahan’s team says his investments are handled by a financial advisor, and Republicans cast Cognetti as extreme and focused on higher office during her mayoral re-election bid.
• Cognetti entered with endorsements from former Rep. Matt Cartwright, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Rep. Chris Deluzio, as Democrats circulated internal polling showing her leading 45% to 43%.
• The DCCC labeled Bresnahan a top target as analysts rate the district lean Republican; Trump carried PA-08 by nine points in 2024 and Bresnahan unseated Cartwright by 1.6 points.
• With redistricting off the table in Pennsylvania, both parties are leaning on recruitment and messaging, with Democrats also touting recent gains such as firefighter union leader Bob Brooks joining a neighboring race.