Paige Cognetti, the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District, is under fire from both Scranton city council and local voters for repeatedly missing council meetings while pursuing a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Absences spark public outcry
During a public comment period at the council meeting on 16 July, resident Rik Little used the platform to condemn the mayor’s continued non‑attendance. He said, "We got a mayor who's not here," and added, "The mayor should be here every week." Councilman Sean McAndrew echoed the sentiment, noting that the mayor appears focused on a future in Congress rather than her current responsibilities.
Fidelity D&D Bancorp purchase under scrutiny
The criticism intensified as council debated a proposed $1.9 million acquisition of the former Fidelity Bank headquarters. The property, owned by Fidelity D&D Bancorp – the holding company for the Pennsylvania‑based Fidelity Bank – would be repurposed as a municipal building. Cognetti inserted the purchase into the city’s budget in November 2025, and an outgoing council voted 3‑2 to approve the deal and fund a 10 percent deposit the following month.
Opponents argue that the transaction clashes with Cognetti’s campaign rhetoric, which promises “reform, transparency, and government accountability” for a region she describes as “a place sadly known for public corruption.”
Financial links to Fidelity raise conflict‑of‑interest concerns
Further questions arise from Cognetti’s prior dealings with Fidelity. In November 2024 she helped secure a $5 million grant from Governor Josh Shapiro to renovate Fidelity’s new headquarters in downtown Scranton. Six months later, in April 2025, every member of Fidelity’s nine‑person board contributed $1,500 to Cognetti’s mayoral campaign, prompting accusations of self‑dealing.
These overlapping interests have led council members and constituents to call for greater transparency and for the mayor to prioritise her elected duties over her congressional ambitions.
First reported by the original source.