JENKINS TWP., PA — Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan and Democratic challenger Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti will take the stage tonight at 7:00 p.m. for their first and only broadcast debate in Pennsylvania’s closely watched 8th Congressional District race.
The one-hour forum will take place before a sold-out studio audience inside the WVIA Public Media Studios in Jenkins Township. Bresnahan, of Luzerne County, was first elected in 2024 and is seeking a second term, while Cognetti, of Lackawanna County, has served as mayor of Scranton since 2020. The high-stakes showdown comes in the final stretch ahead of the Nov. 3 general election in what is widely considered one of the country's most competitive congressional contests.
Veteran television journalist Tracey Matisak will produce and moderate the event, joined by a panel of regional reporters representing WVIA News, The Citizens' Voice, and the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN).
The broadcast will air live on WVIA-TV and WVIA Radio, with radio coverage also simulcast on WILK Newsradio. Digital audiences can stream the live event directly through WVIA’s website, mobile app, and official YouTube channel.
7pm on WVIA-TV, Listen on WILK Newsradio
7pm on WVIA-TV, Listen on WILK Newsradio
