Bresnahan and Cognetti fault their parties in 8th District debate

Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan and Democratic challenger Paige Cognetti used their only debate in Pennsylvania’s competitive 8th Congressional District race to contrast their records and priorities while generally keeping the exchange civil. They agreed that local communities should have a say over proposed data centers, though Cognetti criticized Bresnahan for promoting them and called for greater transparency and community involvement. On the Iran war, Cognetti criticized the administration’s lack of transparency and Bresnahan’s votes supporting it; Bresnahan said the conflict should end and opposed sending U.S. ground troops. The candidates also clashed over healthcare and federal social-program cuts, public safety and economic policy, while Bresnahan emphasized investment and growth and Cognetti highlighted anti-corruption measures and reforms. Both broke with aspects of their parties’ positions: Cognetti faulted the Biden administration’s border record, while Bresnahan criticized the Trump administration’s approach toward Russia and reiterated support for Ukraine.