EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — Paige Cognetti is campaigning to present herself as a Democratic candidate appealing to a broader audience, including Republicans. Her congressional campaign hosted a meet and greet at a local brewery on Sunday, where she discussed her personal connections to the community and emphasized the need for reforms. "We have to make real reforms," she stated to a group of potential voters, indicating her willingness to challenge both major parties. Cognetti, 46, previously ran as an independent in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where she defeated local Democratic candidates she perceived as part of a corrupt system.
This year, she is running for Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District against Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan, aiming to differentiate herself from the Democratic Party, which has faced declining public perception. Her campaign slogan, "Paige Against the Machine," reflects her independent approach.
Keith Swiatkowski, a 48-year-old independent voter, expressed his support for Cognetti after their conversation, stating, "This is a breath of fresh air."
Democratic candidates nationwide are adopting similar strategies to distance themselves from the party's current image, which has been negatively impacted since the 2024 election. They are focusing on local issues, rejecting national party support, and sometimes disavowing liberal policies to appeal to independent and Republican voters.
Lis Smith, a Democratic strategist, noted, "There’s no question that the Democratic Party’s brand is in the toilet," emphasizing the need for candidates to present a unique platform. Smith is associated with Majority Democrats, an organization that aims to promote candidates who can succeed despite the party's challenges.
The 8th District race is considered competitive, with the Cook Political Report labeling it a "toss-up." The district has shifted politically, with Trump winning it by over 8 percentage points in 2024. Bresnahan, who defeated a six-term incumbent in the same election, has criticized Cognetti, claiming she is trying to mask her true political beliefs.
Bresnahan pointed out that Cognetti has received donations from the Soros family and raised property taxes during her tenure as mayor. He has also highlighted her origins in Portland, Oregon, suggesting she is not a genuine local candidate.
Bresnahan stated, "I was born here. I went to school here. I started my career here," contrasting his local roots with Cognetti's background. Republican strategists view the race as a test of whether voters see Cognetti as a Democrat separate from the national party. One adviser remarked, "If she’s Kamala Harris by Election Day, she loses this election."