Footage of Republican congressional candidate Rob Bresnahan in 2023 trying on hot pink stiletto heels has become a focal point in the increasingly personal political battle against his Democratic opponent, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti.
The video, taken ahead of the "Paint Pittston Pink Gentlemen's Dash," a charity event where men race in high heels to raise money for cancer research, shows Bresnahan shopping for and testing out shoes on a treadmill. The clip has resurfaced amid an escalating exchange of attacks between the two campaigns in the closely watched Pennsylvania 8th Congressional District race.
Bresnahan's campaign, with support from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), has targeted Cognetti with a campaign commercial. The ad features Cognetti alongside drag performer Lady Lydia, also known as Frank Carey, and accuses Cognetti of supporting policies that would "force grown men in girls' bathrooms and women's sports." The image used in the advertisement was taken during a 2025 Pride flag-raising ceremony at Scranton City Hall.
There is no public record of Cognetti advocating for policies that would allow men to use women's sports facilities or restrooms. However, in 2021, she expressed support for an event aimed at transgender and nonbinary individuals, stating that schools should be places free from discrimination. She also voiced support for transgender youth, declaring "trans youth belong here in PA."
Lady Lydia has responded to the campaign ad by launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for legal action aimed at removing the advertisement. The fundraiser, titled "NOT a Political Prop: Stand with Lady Lydia," had garnered nearly $3,000 as of Friday afternoon. The GoFundMe states the advertisement "singles out images of Frank's Lady Lydia as if she were some enemy" and portrays Carey's activism negatively, asserting that it infringes on Lady Lydia's right to privacy and involves the unauthorized use of his likeness.
Lady Lydia addressed the controversy on Facebook, expressing that the situation was unexpected and that standing up was necessary. He thanked supporters for their love and encouragement, stating, "this Queen isn't going quietly."
Republicans have countered by doubling down on their attacks. Reilly Richardson, a spokesperson for the NRCC, pointed to Instagram photos showing children at the Pride event and noted that Carey has used the online alias "Chlamydia Berns." Richardson stated that Cognetti is using allies to "prevent Republicans from telling the truth about her" and that Cognetti owes voters answers regarding her association with groups advocating for gender-affirming care for minors and her appearance with someone using the alias "Chlamydia Berns" at an event attended by children.
In response to the attacks on Cognetti, Bresnahan's campaign spokesperson, Samantha Bullock, criticized the Democrats' priorities as "out of touch" and lacking standards and morals. Bullock characterized the comparison made by Cognetti's allies between raising money for breast cancer and a man dressing in drag "in front of children and families for fun" as "abhorrent."
The Cognetti campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment. The race for Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District is considered closely watched, with Cognetti having secured 100% of the vote in the Democratic primary in May, and Bresnahan running unopposed in the Republican primary.