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PA8: New Bognet Ad Plays Up NEPA Roots

Jim Bognet, a former Trump administration appointee challenging Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna), wants to make clear that he’s from Northeast Pa. His first TV ad touted supporting pre-existing conditions and explained his return to the region. Now, he’s back on television with a new ad touting his local roots.

The 30 second spot, titled “Foundation,” begins by explaining his family’s history in the district and describes himself as the candidate who will support “folks who work with their hands.” 

“My grandfather built this house. My dad helped build a business. I dug ditches, poured concrete, and studied hard – a foundation for something more,” he says. “I’m Jim Bognet. My campaign is about the folks who work with their hands.”

He says he supports American jobs and, “And I’ll make China pay for what they’ve done,” Bognet continues, over text that reads “Make China pay for lost jobs and COVID.” 

The Cartwright campaign slammed Bognet for his career working for various GOP candidates across the country, who have advocated for entitlement reforms.

“Jim Bognet has traveled coast to coast trying to elect candidates who want to take Social Security and Medicare benefits from the people who spent their careers working with their hands,” said Cartwright spokesman Matt Slavoski. “Meanwhile, Matt Cartwright has been right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, fighting to protect their hard-earned benefits and strengthening our economy so all can share in it.”

For over a decade, Bognet has worked on GOP campaigns across the county, including former Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Luzerne), Sen. John McCain and Gov. Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns, and more. 

The ad from Bognet appears to be an effort to get out in front of attacks that Cartwright used in his 9 point reelection victory in 2018 over GOP challenger John Chrin, where he painted his opponent as a carpetbagger who’d cut entitlements and end the Affordable Care Act’s coverage for preexisting conditions.

Bognet’s first TV ad of the general election detailed his support for protecting pre-existing conditions, while explaining his return to the region, due to his father having a heart attack and coming back home to “help out.” 

Three national ratings outlets have the race leaning in Cartwright’s favor. Inside Elections lists the race in PA8 as Likely Democratic; Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball has it as Leans Democratic, and the Cook Political Report has it as Leans Democratic.

6 Responses

    1. ^^ Racist scumbag who can’t spell or properly use punctuation or construct a sentence. In other words, typical white supremacist trash.

  1. Bognet is NOT “one of us”; he is one of THEM. Get off my internet lawn, you GOP pig.

  2. Bognet has been running a gimmick campaign with the Portland Oregon ad and so on. He is running where Biden has a 35% lead in Scranton over Trump and this has to impact the Cartwright race. And it REALLY REALLY helps Cartwright and Fitzpatrick and DePasquale. There is term political coattails. For Bognet—wrong race. Wrong year. Defeat.

  3. What a hypocrite. Bognet blew off NEPA for the last 20 years, only returning when he saw a chance to run for Congress. He’s a phony and an opportunist. Other than last year, his voting record is pathetic. Can’t believe this is the best R’s could do!

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