Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
44.3%
Republican
Incumbent
IncumbentRob Bresnahan
Incumbent Republican candidate for U.S. House in Pennsylvania
$19.7K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — PA-08 House winner?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
35%chance to win
$19.7KNOV 7, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyModerate Republican
Age36 years old (Apr 22, 1990)
GenderMale
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LocationPennsylvania
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Scranton (B.S.)
Notable personal detailsRobert Paul Bresnahan Jr. is a Republican politician and businessman who has represented Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional district in the U.S. House since January 3, 2025. Before Congress, he worked as an executive in his family’s electrical contracting business and has been involved in real estate development. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton and is a Northeastern Pennsylvania native.
SourcesShowHide
history.house.govbresnahan.house.goven.wikipedia.orgvoteview.comrobforpa.cominquirer.comnecanet.orgnrcc.orgaquinas.scranton.educiclt.netcongressweb.comamericanjournalnews.comapnews.compolitico.comnypost.comballotready.orgrepbio.orgpennsylvaniaindependent.comtimesleader.comwvia.orgyahoo.comdccc.orgnrdcactionfund.orgkeystonenewsroom.comafge.orgfox56.comriverreporter.comthetimes-tribune.comprnewswire.comfacebook.comnews.ballotpedia.orgstandardspeaker.comspotlightpa.orgpghlesbian.comballotpedia.orgclerk.house.govfec.govdocquery.fec.govdisclosures-clerk.house.govde.wikipedia.orgit.wikipedia.org
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Rob Bresnahan Jr. supports preserving and extending Republican tax provisions and tax cuts (including making 2017 tax cuts permanent and other targeted tax relief) while also backing targeted spending and tax-credit extensions for constituents (for example, extending ACA premium tax credits and securing rural healthcare funding) and bipartisan measures such as raising the minimum wage. His record shows both tax-cutting positions and support for specific government investments and tax-credit extensions.
Healthcare
Supports protecting and strengthening Medicaid, backed efforts to extend Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, and has pursued federal funding and programs to support rural healthcare access and local hospitals. Positions emphasize preserving coverage for vulnerable populations while pursuing targeted program reforms and funding.
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Immigration & Border
Supports strengthening border security through physical barriers where practical, increased personnel and technology for Border Patrol, and stricter measures to prevent unlawful crossings while expediting legal immigration processes. Describes the situation at the southern border as a national security and humanitarian crisis and emphasizes resources for enforcement and stopping drug and human trafficking.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate praised the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision and said abortion policy should be decided by states rather than by Congress, while also saying he would not support a federal ban. He has financially supported and campaigned with prominent anti‑abortion Republicans and has been associated with party platforms and figures that favor significant abortion restrictions. Overall, his statements and affiliations align with supporting restrictions on abortion while rejecting a federal total ban.
Climate & Energy
Supports prioritizing U.S. energy production and “energy dominance,” favors rolling back Biden-era environmental regulations that he says constrain fossil-fuel power generation, and emphasizes supporting natural gas and local energy infrastructure investments.
Public Safety & Guns
Rob Bresnahan identifies as a gun owner, says he is not for bans on firearms and emphasizes responsible ownership and education; he has indicated he could consider certain policies (such as expanded background checks or red-flag laws) depending on how they are written and applied. His public statements and reporting provide mixed signals between defending gun ownership and openness to some regulatory measures.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 6, 2026
Rob Bresnahan is drawing fresh Republican support in Pennsylvania’s 8th District, with the NRCC launching a coordinated ad campaign backing him and highlighting his work on local hospitals and rural health funding. At the same time, he remains in a tight and highly competitive race, with recent polling showing Democrat Paige Cognetti slightly ahead. The campaign is also being shaped by Democratic attacks over health care cuts and corruption allegations.
history.house.gov+40
Articles
WEWashington Examiner13 days ago
NRCC launches first coordinated ad since expenditure ruling
Positive
TDThe Daily Beast2 months ago
Trump Hit With Ominous Midterm Warnings in Deep Red Areas
Negative
NNNBC News3 months ago
Four swing House races in Pennsylvania loom large for both parties - and for 2028, too
Neutral
Latest Polls
PA-08 House winner?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$5.2M
$3.9M
$2.6M
$1.3M
$0
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2024
$4.5M
$53.2K
$4.5M
$187.0K
Cycle 2026
$5.2M
$2.6M
$2.7M
$148.9K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements