In Pennsylvania’s 8th District, Republican Congressman Rob Bresnahan Jr., seeking his second term, and Democrat Paige Cognetti are both unopposed in their May 19 primary races.
Rob Bresnahan Jr.
Rob Bresnahan Jr., of Dallas Township, has been serving the 8th District since his two-year term began in January 2025. He serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Small Business.
Bresnahan was raised in Luzerne County. His campaign website states that he ran heavy equipment and did other work with his grandfather Walt Kuharchik, an electrical contractor from Exeter. He became CFO of his grandfather’s business, Kuharchik Construction, at the age of 19.
Following graduation from the University of Scranton, Bresnahan took over as CEO of the company and expanded the firm. Bresnahan owns a real estate development company, RPB Ventures, which has concentrated on restoring historic buildings in downtown Pittston.
The congressman married former WNEP reporter and anchor Chelsea Strub in 2025.
Paige Cognetti
Cognetti is currently the mayor of Scranton and was previously on the school board. She first ran for mayor as an independent in a special election in 2019. Her website states that she was the first woman ever elected mayor of Scranton and was eight months pregnant when she won. Cognetti won reelection as a Democrat in 2021 and 2025.
In 2024, Cognetti was appointed by President Joe Biden to the United States Trade Representative’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.
She and her husband Ryan live in Scranton with their two daughters.
Where is the 8th District?
Pennsylvania’s 8th District includes all of Lackawanna, Pike and Wayne counties and parts of Luzerne and Monroe counties.
