Democratic candidate in key Pennsylvania House race faces scrutiny over maternity leave cuts

Published April 6, 2026 5:00am ET



A new 2026 labor agreement in Scranton is putting Democratic Mayor Paige Cognetti’s record on maternity leave under fresh scrutiny as she challenges Republican incumbent Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) in Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, one of the country’s most competitive House races.

The agreement has renewed attention on how maternity leave and other benefits have shifted under contracts negotiated during Cognetti’s tenure, particularly for newer city employees.

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