In a bold prediction during his visit to Wilkes-Barre, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence that the Republican Party will not only maintain but also expand its majority in the House after the upcoming November midterm elections.
“I feel very bullish about the midterm election,” Johnson remarked, asserting his belief in the Republican Party’s potential to overcome historical election trends. “I’m absolutely convinced we’re going to defy the historic trend. Republicans are going to keep and grow our majority in the House so that we can keep this going.”
The event, held at the Mary Stegmaier mansion, was part of Johnson’s 30-day tour across 34 competitive House districts in 18 states. His visit was primarily to support Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan’s reelection campaign against Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, a Democrat.
Johnson Challenges Polling Data
During a news conference, Johnson, who represents Louisiana, questioned the reliability of recent polls indicating President Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings and skepticism about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last summer.
The RealClearPolling.com average indicates Trump’s job approval stands at 39.2% with a 58.4% disapproval rate. A Politico poll from July reveals nearly half of voters are unable to explain the bill’s impact, with those who can often believing it doesn’t benefit them.
Johnson defended the bill, claiming it delivered “the biggest tax cut in history,” fostering job creation and providing a “pathway out of poverty” by increasing wages for hardworking families.
“What I’m seeing is energy on the ground. I’m seeing hardworking American families who understand this Congress fulfilled our promises that we made in 2024,” Johnson added.
Supporting Bresnahan, Criticizing Opponents
Describing Bresnahan as “an extraordinary member of Congress,” Johnson framed the midterms as “unlike any other in the past,” claiming it represents a crucial decision for the nation’s future.
“It’s going to decide the future of the republic because we are locked in a contest between people who love America and its founding principles, and Marxists and communists, frankly, who are battling to take over the Democrat Party and want to tear that thing down to the foundation and go down a different road,” he stated.
“We’re not going to do that. You’re going to have patriots like Rob Bresnahan who get reelected,” Johnson continued.
Cognetti’s Crime Record Under Fire
The conference saw Bresnahan attack Cognetti for being soft on crime, with local police chiefs backing Bresnahan’s crimefighting efforts.
Bresnahan requested “an honest conversation” about Cognetti’s public safety record, citing statistics showing a 27% increase in murders, 449 rapes from 2021 to 2025 compared to 158 from 2014 to 2018, and a 116% rise in arson cases from 2019 to 2024.
“So those are the statistics. That’s numbers that cannot be argued with,” Bresnahan stated.
Scranton Police Chief Thomas Carroll attributed the increase in reported rapes to previously misclassified cases, creating an apparent “discrepancy.”
A WVIA News analysis found a 4.1% drop in serious crime, including homicide, aggravated assault, and others, between 2021 and 2025.
Endorsements and Campaign Support
While Bresnahan highlighted his six police union endorsements, Cognetti mentioned her backing from the state AFL-CIO and criticized the lack of interviews by police unions before endorsing candidates.
“If you look at that, it probably is no surprise that I’ve not been asked to sit before the FOPs,” Cognetti said. “I think they have a pre-cooked plan for the type of politician that they support, and I think that the politicians that they support are independent of record and more based on partisan politics.”
Police Chiefs Backing Bresnahan
Chief Michael Turner praised Bresnahan, stating he secured “millions and millions of dollars for police departments, emergency services, and he requested millions more for this year.”
Kingston Police Chief Richard Kotchik supported Turner’s sentiments, emphasizing Bresnahan’s commitment to securing resources for law enforcement advancements.
Defending Crime Initiatives
Cognetti highlighted her administration’s efforts to bolster public safety, including adding more police officers, upgrading equipment, and planning a new police command center.
Responding to Johnson’s visit, Cognetti accused Bresnahan of failing to act independently, saying, “As a mayor and as a mom, public safety is personal to me,” and detailing investments made in local law enforcement for community safety.
