Paige Cognetti
D · U.S. House, PA-8 · Tier 1/2
Tier 1/2, between “Firmly pro-Israel” and “Mainstream pro-Israel”
Runs on an explicitly pro-Israel platform: “I vehemently support Israel’s right to defend itself,” backs the military aid it needs and reauthorizing the US-Israel MOU, and touts a local munitions plant — while stressing humanitarian aid must reach Gazans and backing a two-state solution. Challenging AIPAC-backed Rep. Rob Bresnahan. She is endorsed by DMFI and J Street and campaigns on combating antisemitism.
A 1/2, on a thin record: brief remarks as mayor at an October 9, 2023 Stand with Israel gathering in Scranton, where she told the crowd “we stand with you,” and one January 2026 interview, reported only by Jewish Insider. She said “the Israel question” is “very simple” for her: “I vehemently support Israel’s right to defend itself,” and she would take “extremely seriously” Congress’s role in ensuring Israel has “the military aid that they need to defend themselves.” She backs renewing the U.S.–Israel memorandum of understanding and touted a local munitions plant that makes “the shells that we use for our own defense, but also that we ship to our allies, like Ukraine and Israel”: “We’re very proud of that.” Her one humanitarian note, that aid should reach “the people who need it,” comes in the same interview as that pledge of military aid, beside a “diplomatic, two-state solution.” She holds no leadership role on the issue. DMFI and J Street endorse her.
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elect26 places 2026 midterm candidates on a six-tier spectrum, from 1 (most pro-Israel) to 6 (most critical of Israel).