Pennsylvania Republican Rob Bresnahan is finding himself at the center of an increasingly colorful political fight as Democrats seize on footage of him trying on a pair of hot-pink high heels. 

The video, taken in 2023, shows Bresnahan shopping for the perfect pair of heels ahead of the Paint Pittston Pink Gentlemen’s Dash, a charity event in Pittston, Pennsylvania, where men race in high heels to raise money for cancer research.

In the footage, Bresnahan tries on several pairs of women’s shoes before settling on the winning pair. 

He even tests them out on a treadmill before declaring: ‘I’m gonna wear these things to go.’

The clip has now resurfaced as Democrats and Republicans 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, 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, where Cognetti appeared alongside Lady Lydia.

Bresnahan’s campaign aired a commercial featuring Democratic opponent Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti alongside drag performer Lady Lydia, accusing Cognetti of supporting policies that would ‘force grown men in girls’ bathrooms and women’s sports’

Representative Rob Bresnahan in 2023 running on a treadmill in hot pink heels ahead of the Paint Pittston Pink Gentlemen’s Dash 

Lady Lydia has pushed back, launching a GoFundMe campaign seeking money for legal action aimed at getting the advertisement removed

There is no public evidence of Cognetti ever saying she supports men in women’s sports, or men using women’s restrooms.

But in 2021, she publicly threw her support behind a Scranton event aimed at transgender and nonbinary people, framing 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 now pushed back, 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.

‘This isn’t about silencing the voice of any political party,’ the fundraiser says. ‘It’s 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.’

‘Thank you for reminding me over these past few days just how much love and support surrounds this Queen,’ he added. ‘And trust me … this Queen isn’t going quietly.’

Republicans, however, have doubled down.

In a statement to Semafor Reilly Richardson, a spokesman for the NRCC, pointed to photographs posted on Instagram showing children at the Pride event. He also highlighted that Carey has used another name, ‘Chlamydia Berns,’ online.

‘Paige Cognetti is sending her left-wing buddies out to do her dirty work and try to prevent Republicans from telling the truth about her in Northeast Pennsylvania,’ Richardson said.

‘Cognetti owes voters answers for her voluntary association with activist groups who are pushing sex change surgeries for kids and why she chose to appear with someone who refers to themselves as ‘Chlamydia Berns’ at an event with small children present,’ he added.

Now Democrats are returning fire — and Bresnahan’s pink heels have become their weapon of choice.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, Bresnahan’s campaign spokesperson Samantha Bullock said Mayor Cognetti and the Democrats’ priorities were ‘out of touch’- lacking standards and morals.  

‘It doesn’t get more abhorrent than a slimy politician like Paige Cognetti allowing her allies to try comparing raising money for breast cancer to a grown man dressing in drag in front of children and families for fun.’

The Cognetti campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Scranton Democrat Paige Cognetti appears to be gaining momentum in the fight for one of Pennsylvania’s most closely watched congressional seats, after Democratic voters turned out in significantly greater numbers than Republicans during May’s primary.

Cognetti cruised through the May 19 Democratic primary with 58,726 votes, taking 100 percent of the vote in the 8th Congressional District.

Republican incumbent Rob Bresnahan likewise ran unopposed on the Republican side, receiving 38,075 votes.