Democrats Lock In Candidates to Challenge GOP in 2 Swing Pennsylvania House Districts

Election analysts with the Cook Political Report rated both races in November as toss-ups.

Residents walk down Broadway, the main thoroughfare in the mountain city of Jim Thorpe, in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District on May 18, 2026. Jacob Burg/The Epoch Times

BETHLEHEM, Penn.—Democrats in Pennsylvania’s 7th and 8th congressional districts chose their candidates on May 19 to challenge two Republicans who just barely flipped their seats in 2024.

Running unopposed in District 8, Democrat Paige Cognetti clinched the nomination to challenge Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr. (R-Penn.) in November. Bresnahan narrowly flipped the seat in 2024, grabbing it from then-Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Penn.) with a 1.6-point margin.