SCRANTON, Pennsylvania — Less than two weeks ago, thousands of Scrantonites converged in their downtown for the 64th run of one of the oldest St. Patrick’s Day parades. Rob Bresnahan, the Republican congressman who represents the 8th district, joined them, walking with the local operating engineers union as it made its way along Mulberry, Wyoming, and Lackawanna Avenues.

Jimmy Gittens, the vice president of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542, said that he extended the invitation to Bresnahan because of his commitment to the union’s needs and concerns, and understanding their desire to attract both new jobs and train the next generation in the trades.