Republican Rob Bresnahan faces new political fight over drag queen photo

Pennsylvania Republican Rob Bresnahan is suddenly the center of a colorful political fight. Democrats are using new footage against him while his allies attack his opponent over a photo involving a drag queen. The video came from 2023 and shows Bresnahan shopping for high heels before the Paint Pittston Pink Gentlemen's Dash. That charity event in Pittston sees men race in shoes to raise money for cancer research.

Bresnahan tries on several pairs of women's footwear. He settles on a hot-pink pair with stiletto heels. He even walks them out on a treadmill before declaring, 'I'm gonna wear these things to go.' The clip has resurfaced now as Republicans and Democrats trade increasingly personal attacks in the closely watched Pennsylvania 8th Congressional District race.

Bresnahan's campaign and the National Republican Congressional Committee have been attacking Bresnahan's Democratic opponent, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti. They did this in a campaign commercial featuring Cognetti alongside drag performer Lady Lydia, also known as Frank Carey. The narrator in the commercial accuses Cognetti of supporting policies that would 'force grown men in girls' bathrooms and women's sports.'

The photograph used in the ad was taken during the 2025 Pride flag-raising ceremony at Scranton City Hall. That is where Cognetti appeared alongside Lady Lydia. There is no public evidence of Cognetti ever saying she supports men in women's sports or men using women's restrooms. In 2021, she publicly threw her support behind a Scranton event aimed at transgender and nonbinary people. She framed the gathering as part of a broader message that schools should be places for education rather than discrimination.

She also voiced support for transgender young people, declaring that 'trans youth belong here in PA.' Lady Lydia has pushed back by launching a GoFundMe campaign seeking money for legal action aimed at getting the advertisement removed. The fundraiser, titled 'NOT a Political Prop: Stand with Lady Lydia,' had raised nearly $3,000 dollars as of Friday afternoon.

The GoFundMe argues that the advertisement 'singles out images of Frank's Lady Lydia as if she were some enemy' and portrays Carey's activism as something voters should be ashamed of. The text says this isn't about silencing the voice of any political party. It is about Lady Lydia's right to privacy and the unauthorized use of her likeness. The drag queen also addressed the controversy on Facebook.

'This was certainly never a situation I expected to find myself in, and asking for help isn't always easy,' Lady Lydia wrote. 'But sometimes you have to stand up and say enough is enough.' He added that thank you notes from the past few days reminded him of how much love and support surrounds this Queen. He trusted me that this Queen isn't going quietly.

Republicans doubled down on their stance. In a statement to Semafor, Reilly Richardson, a spokesman for the NRCC, pointed to photographs posted on Instagram showing children at the Pride event. The situation highlights limited access to private moments and how personal images can become political ammunition quickly. Communities face real risks when campaigns trade insults instead of ideas.

Scranton Democrat Paige Cognetti is building steam for a spot in Pennsylvania's tightly contested congressional race. This surge follows a May primary where Democratic turnout outpaced Republicans by a wide margin. In that election held on May 19, Cognetti swept the 8th Congressional District with every available vote from her party, tallying exactly 58,726 ballots. Meanwhile, Republican incumbent Rob Bresnahan faced no opposition on his side and secured 38,075 votes.

The heat between these candidates has intensified recently. One observer noted that a figure named Carey used an online alias called 'Chlamydia Berns.' Another voice, identified as Richardson, claimed that Cognetti sends her left-wing allies to do her dirty work. He argued she does this to stop Republicans from telling the truth about her in Northeast Pennsylvania. Richardson also stated that Cognetti owes voters answers regarding her voluntary links to activist groups pushing sex change surgeries for minors. He questioned why she appeared with someone using the name 'Chlamydia Berns' at an event where small children were present.

Now Democrats are firing back, often using images of Bresnahan's pink heels as their main weapon in this public battle. A spokesperson for the Bresnahan campaign, Samantha Bullock, issued a statement to the Daily Mail. She said Mayor Cognetti and her party have priorities that are out of touch, lacking both standards and morals. The remark went further, calling it more abhorrent than a slimy politician like Paige Cognetti allowing allies to compare raising money for breast cancer with a grown man dressing in drag before children and families for fun.

The Cognetti campaign did not respond to requests for comment on these accusations.