Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, a Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District, previously proposed a 3% property tax increase to fund a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) coordinator position. The proposed role, along with several other new hires, was part of the city's 2023 budget. The estimated cost for the DEI coordinator position was $25,500, and the tax increase was projected to generate $957,000 for the city.

This budget proposal was ultimately not adopted by the city council. A spokesperson for Cognetti’s campaign stated that the DEI coordinator position was cut by the city council without public comment. The campaign highlighted Cognetti's efforts to reform city hall, balance the budget, and improve the city's financial standing, noting her background as an independent candidate who ran against a "corrupt Democratic machine."

Cognetti has spoken about her commitment to diversity in government. In a podcast appearance, she remarked that such conversations should become the norm and that while her budget proposal faced challenges, "positive advocacy is missing." She also stated that the city has seen increased diversity in its workforce due to merit-based hiring practices. "When you walk into City Hall today, there are far more people of color and far more women working there, I think, than you would have seen four years ago," Cognetti said, attributing this to hiring the best people for the jobs and ensuring job postings reach a wider audience.

The Cognetti campaign also drew a parallel to the practices of her opponent, incumbent Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa. The campaign pointed out that Bresnahan's company, Kuharchik Construction Inc., has identified itself as "disadvantaged and women-owned" to secure federal contracts. Records indicate the company received approximately $162,000 in federal contracts since 2008, with no payments since 2017. Bresnahan is not under investigation for insider trading.

Cognetti is running to unseat Bresnahan in what is considered one of the country's most competitive congressional districts. Her campaign has emphasized her record of fiscal responsibility, including turning down a government car and salary increase, and improving the city's credit rating from "junk bond status to an A- investment rating."