Paige Cognetti

A Dedicated Public Servant

Paige Cognetti has served as mayor of Scranton since 2020, where she has guided the city through financial recovery and community renewal. In her first run for mayor, she took down a corrupt political machine that was profiting off the city government. Unafraid of any fight, she has worked to clean up city hall and ensure the government truly serves its people. 

Before becoming mayor, she advised the Pennsylvania Auditor General on oversight of public schools and care for older adults. She joined the Scranton School Board and worked to uncover waste, fraud, and abuse, so schools would work for our kids instead of cronies.

Mayor Cognetti began her federal public service in the Obama administration, serving from 2009 to 2012 as a senior advisor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Treasury Department.

Providing Economic Stability for Pennsylvanians

Mayor Cognetti has continuously fought hard for the economic stability of Scranton. In 2024, the city of Scranton won the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s fiscal management award — following 30 years listed by the state as financially distressed. Under Mayor Cognetti’s leadership, the city of Scranton dropped the financially distressed status in January 2022. Additionally, she led the city to achieve an improved credit rating which created $2.2 million in savings through bond refinancing, and further stabilizing Scranton’s finances. 

Mayor Cognetti has also spearheaded crucial investments to Scranton’s downtown.  She is committed to bettering the lives of Pennsylvanians and stepping up to fight for working families.

Critical Flip Opportunity
Mayor Paige Cognetti is running for Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, currently held by Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr. — who was caught dumping local hospital bonds before voting to  strip millions of Americans, including his own constituents, of Medicaid and jeopardizing rural hospitals. Mayor Cognetti is the leader Pennsylvania needs to get corruption out of Washington and fight to bring reform, transparency and accountability to government. She will stand up to politicians who are only looking to profit  in Congress while everyday families foot the bill for their millionaire-first agenda. EMILYs List is proud to support her in this election and stand with her to take back the U.S. House in 2026.