Scranton mayoral candidate features Trump loyalist in new TV spot

Mayor Paige Cognetti of Scranton launched a new television commercial to promote her bid for the U.S. House seat held by Republican Rob Bresnahan. The spot, initially shared with one outlet, features a Lackawanna County voter named Bill who claims he voted for Donald Trump every election but is now endorsing Cognetti. Cognetti’s campaign says the ad is the first phase of a six-figure cable and broadcast purchase aimed at showcasing her independent, anti-corruption record in a right-leaning district.

Bresnahan has drawn scrutiny for executing more than 600 stock trades since his election, including several healthcare transactions shortly before the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which overhauled Medicaid. Data from Quiver Quantitative reports his net worth near $40 million. During his 2024 campaign, Bresnahan advocated banning congressional stock trading and introduced related legislation, though a different measure passed the House in July. Cognetti previously ran as an independent mayor in 2019 after the former Scranton mayor was convicted of corruption.