Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Matt Cartwright concedes race to GOP challenger
Rob Bresnahan, the Trump-backed House candidate for Pennsylvania, is poised to defeat incumbent Democrat Rep. Matt Cartwright based on current vote numbers as of midday Tuesday. Cartwright graciously conceded the race late on Election Day, ending his tenure in Congress that began in 2013 representing Pennsylvania’s 17th District before redistricting in 2018.
The 8th Congressional District, where Cartwright served, is located in Pennsylvania’s northeastern region and includes cities like Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. The district covers Wayne, Pike, and Lackawanna counties, as well as parts of Luzerne and Monroe counties. Cartwright’s re-election bid was closely watched as he represented one of just nine districts nationwide where Democrats aimed to defend their seats after Trump won in 2020.
In the 2020 election, Cartwright narrowly defeated his Republican challenger by over 7,000 votes out of nearly 287,000 cast, while Trump carried the district by 2.9 points over Biden. Cartwright campaigned on issues like strengthening the economy, protecting abortion rights, reforming the asylum process at the border, and bolstering Social Security benefits.
On the other hand, Bresnahan, a fifth-generation Luzerne County native and CEO of Kuharchik Construction, campaigned on securing the border, cutting taxes, creating jobs in Pennsylvania, and supporting law enforcement. Trump endorsed Bresnahan in April, praising him for his business acumen and commitment to conservative values.
Despite portraying himself as a moderate Democrat, Cartwright’s voting record tells a different story. He aligned with Nancy Pelosi and remained a member of the left-leaning Congressional Progressive Caucus. Bresnahan criticized Cartwright for claiming to work for working-class voters while advocating for progressive policies that do not align with the district’s values.
Pennsylvania has once again emerged as a battleground state in national politics, with both Trump and Biden claiming victories in recent presidential elections. As the 2024 campaign trail heats up, all eyes are on Pennsylvania as Bresnahan prepares to take over the 8th Congressional District seat from Cartwright.
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