Key showdowns: Millions flow into three Pa. races that could decide control of the U.S. House

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), in particular, has not been shy about investing in these races. Just this month, Shapiro announced a multimillion-dollar statewide campaign to lend a hand run Democratic elections across Pennsylvania, signaling the importance of these races to Democrats.

The Republican outperformed the Democrat in two of the three races through June 30, but two of the Democrats entered with more money.

7th District (Lehigh Valley)

Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie does raised over $4.3 million as of June 30 inclusive $631,000 in the second quarter of the year. Almost half of them are funds for the second quarter ($300,000) came from joint fundraising committees. JFC led by Speaker Mike Johnson (La.) – the Grow the Majority PAC – contributed $88,281 to the campaign, while Defend Our Majority, another committee affiliated with Johnson and the National Republican Congressional Committee, contributed $49,244. Emmer Majority Builders, a committee associated with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), contributed $32,495.

Another joint fundraising committee, Mackenzie for America, is affiliated with the National Republican Congressional Committee and is solely concerned with Mackenzie’s re-election, directs $76,225 for his campaign. Mackenzie just finished $2.9 million in cash as the race enters its final months.

Mackenzie who was approved by President Donald Trump in 2024, he secured the presidency again support as he runs for a second term.

Opposite Mackenzie on the ballot is Democrat Bob Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Firefighters Association. Brooks almost raised $2.4 million as of June 30 and most of this money ($1.9 million) came from individual contributions.

Stronger Together PA, a super PAC, spent over $1.8 million in ads supporting Brooks. It is funded primarily by unions such as the International Association of Firefighters, the Kamala Harris-affiliated Future Forward PAC and The Bench, a political action committee focused on “recruiting and supporting” the next generation of Democratic leaders, according to his website.

Brooks just finished 1 million dollars in cash as of June 30, after spending most of his war chest on: a very controversial primary school in May.

While Mackenzie continues to maintain a significant fundraising lead, Brooks significantly outperformed him in the second quarter, surpassing $1.2 million from April to June compared to Mackenzie $631,000. Brooks’ forceful second-quarter fundraising suggests Democrats are increasing investment in a seat they believe is within reach.

8th District (Scranton/Northeastern Pennsylvania)

Republican Rob Bresnahan, who is finishing his first term in Congress, raised his total: $5.2 million this election cycle, spent $2.6 million. Bresnahan had $2.6 million in cash as of June 30.

In August 2025, End Citizens United – which advocates for campaign finance reforms – filed a proposal ethical complaint with the Office of Congressional Proceedings against Bresnahan, accusing him of failing to disclose ownership of a $1.5 million helicopter. Legislators are required to report in their annual financial reports any income received or assets worth more than $1,000.

Bresnan donated $55,836 to his campaign committee to Rob from the AP from January 31 to June 30. He also received $1.9 million in PAC contributions, while his rival, Democrat Paige Cognetti, received $429,599 from PACs.

Cognetti is the current mayor of Scranton, the largest city in the 8th District, and as of June 30, she had raised $4.6 million and spent more than $1.2 million. Nearly 90% of its funding comes from individual donations.

Late in the second quarter, Cognetti had it just over $3.4 million in cash compared to Bresnahan $2.6 millionputting her in a fundraising leadership role as November approaches.

10th District (Harrisburg/York)

Democrat Janelle Stelson raised $6.4 million from June 30, which makes it highest fundraiser Candidate for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives last year. Stelson’s fundraising lead grew in the last quarter, with the former TV host raising $1.7 million between April and June.

Individual contributions total almost 77% of the funds collected by Stelson $4.9 million.

Stelson $45,000 paid between January 2024 and October 2025, Voting for America produced four podcast episodes titled “Voices of Central Pennsylvania With Janelle Stelson”, which are no longer available online.

Vote for America is led by alumni of the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Tax records show the group had total income of less than $50,000 in 2025.

As of June 30, Stelson did almost $4.5 million in cash as she prepares for a rematch with Rep. Scott Perry (R), who defeated her by just over 1% in 2024

Perry, who served seven terms in Congress, including as chairman of the House Freedom Caucus from 2022 to 2024, raised $5.2 million and spent $2.4 million, leaving him $2.8 million in cash.

The veteran lawmaker’s coffers are dominated by individual contributions, accounting for 60% of his total dollars, with more than half coming from donors who gave more than $200 to the campaign. Perry also received over $650,000 in PAC contributionsWith $31,000 comes from the American Israel Public Affairs Commission and $77,430 comes from a PAC associated with the Club for Development, which supporters for free enterprise.
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