Pennsylvania congressional race ignites clash over drag performances and pink heels

In the Scranton congressional contest, Rep. Rob Bresnahan and the National Republican Congressional Committee released a TV spot titled “With Them,” echoing a 2024 campaign theme, that pairs Mayor Paige Cognetti with drag artist Frank Carey to label her a proponent of “radical” gender-identity measures. The ad cites a June city photo of Cognetti at a Pride flag-raising alongside Carey, claiming she is trying to force men into women’s spaces and sports.

Bresnahan’s spokeswoman, Samantha Bullock, said the image now reflects Cognetti’s true liberal agenda, while the mayor’s campaign declined comment. Carey protested the portrayal on Facebook, promising to fight back and launching a GoFundMe for legal defense. The controversy also notes Bresnahan’s previous participation in a charity event for the KISS Theatre Company, which employed Carey, and his appearance in pink heels for a breast-cancer fundraiser, underscoring the partisan double standard. Republicans argue the mayor’s involvement with drag in front of children is ideologically driven, whereas Democrats accuse the ad of demonizing drag performers while ignoring Bresnahan’s own LGBTQ-friendly activities.