“Put on the hand rings and start knocking,” exclaimed Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti at the Tim Walz rally on Saturday.
With Election Day fast approaching, Scranton, in the key swing state of Pennsylvania, hums with political energy—door-knocking canvassers, rallies urging residents to action, and campaign signs for Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris plastered across empty storefronts.
But for city officials, election season is as much a logistical burden as a political one.
“It costs us a lot of money for them to come here,” explained City Council President Gerald Smurl. “We bill them, but campaigns never reimburse anyone.”
He said security, policing and sanitation are all part of the bill.
“It costs us a lot of money every time the president, the vice president, or the ex-president Donald Trump comes,” he said. “You don’t pay for your security and stuff, but you demand it.”
The strain extends across various departments. “Everything from our DPW (Department of Public Works)—we use our garbage trucks to block streets, because that’s one of the biggest, heaviest things we have—you’re not going to drive through that. But that guy’s on overtime,” he explained.
“Everything suffers, yet, no reimbursement,” Smurl said of the events. “These campaigns have millions—come on, give us the $20,000.”
Historically a Democratic stronghold, Scranton has seen the political divide narrow in recent years, with Republicans gaining ground in parts of Lackawanna County. In the 2020 election, 53.6% of voters supported Joe Biden, while 45.2% backed Donald Trump.
While Democratic canvassers flood neighborhoods—dropping off signs, knocking on doors—they say they face mixed receptions. Friendly greetings from some, doors ignored after countless attempts, and protective spouses standing guard. Despite multiple inquiries to the Harris-Walz campaign office, volunteers declined to speak with reporters.
Republican campaign posters cover vacant properties downtown, many owned by JBAS Realty, a prominent local real estate developer. Beneath the developer’s name, the windows bear stickers endorsing Republican candidates, especially Trump.
While Republican campaign materials are visible across the city, there has been few canvassing efforts, according to one GOP voter. A campaign spokesperson at Donald Trump Jr.’s “Get Out To Vote Fall Festival” declined to elaborate on campaign strategies, only saying, “We have many ways to campaign.” Requests for further comment from the Trump campaign office remain unanswered.
While Democrats have been vocal about their canvassing efforts, some Trump supporters have found unorthodox ways of promoting their candidate. One local resident was notorious for making his appearance with his truck—a giant 18-wheeler—plastered in Trump campaign materials and parked in the street.
“He got his truck stuck on a bridge because it was too tall,” said resident Kim Pane. “It blocked the entire bridge on the 2016 Election Day.” He also vents at City Council Meetings every week, locals say. “Talking about Trump has nothing to do with Scranton’s governance,” mused Thomas Cipriano, the city’s Economic Development Coordinator.
President Joe Biden is scheduled to make a last-minute visit to his hometown on Saturday, just two days before Election Day.
