Pennsylvania is a top battleground for control of the U.S. House in 2026, with Democrats targeting three Republican-held districts: Pennsylvania's 7th, 8th, and 10th. The Cook Political Report rates all three as Toss-Ups, putting first-term Representatives Ryan Mackenzie (R, PA-07) and Rob Bresnahan (R, PA-08), along with longtime Rep. Scott Perry (R, PA-10), on defense. Governor Josh Shapiro, D, is actively targeting these incumbent Republican seats through coordinated campaign investments.

Democratic challengers Bob Brooks (PA-07), Paige Cognetti (PA-08), and Janelle Stelson (PA-10) are running in districts with sharply local concerns — from wages and jobs in the Lehigh Valley to data-center development in northeastern Pennsylvania and a closely watched rematch in the Harrisburg-area district.

Erin Covey, who leads Cook Political Report's coverage of the House, stresses the importance of the state. “More so than any state, Pennsylvania will help decide control of the House next year,” she says. “It's always an important state, but this year it's a huge part of that House battleground.”

• PA-07 — Brooks, a retired Bethlehem firefighter and labor leader, is challenging Mackenzie in a Lehigh Valley race shaped by wages, jobs, public safety, and working-class concerns.
• PA-08 — Cognetti, the mayor of Scranton, is challenging Bresnahan as data-center growth, electricity costs, local control, and infrastructure emerge as defining issues.
• PA-10 — Stelson is seeking a rematch with Perry after losing by about 1.3 points in 2024; the contest has already become Pennsylvania's most expensive congressional race.
• Race to Watch — PA-01: Bob Harvie (D) is challenging Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R) in Bucks County; Ballotpedia lists the district as a 2026 House battleground, while Cook rates it “Likely Republican.”
• Pennsylvania's U.S. House delegation currently leans 9–8 in favor of Republicans. If Democrats can sweep the three seats, the state will flip to 10–7 in favor of Democrats.