SCRANTON, PA – Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, a Democrat, won re-election victory on Tuesday night, soundly defeating three challengers. Her win came despite attempts by opponents to criticize her publicly announced intent to run for Congress in 2026.
Both Republican Trish Beynon and Independent Gene Barrett centered their campaigns on local issues, vowing to improve streets, tackle blight, and address crime. However, a significant portion of their messaging targeted Cognetti’s plan to seek the 8th Congressional District seat in two years.
“I'm here to be your mayor,” Barrett stated during the October 16 debate. “I'm not trying to propel myself to a higher position in government.”
Mayor Cognetti successfully defended her record by reminding voters she took over after former Mayor Bill Courtright went to prison on corruption charges. She highlighted her focus on running an ethical City Hall, modernizing processes, upgrading parks, and investing in public safety.