U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-8th District) and GOP challenger Rob Bresnahan (Official photo and campaign photo)
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-8th District) conceded his race for reelection against Republican challenger Rob Bresnahan on Wednesday afternoon. The Associated Press had not yet called the race as of 1 p.m. Wednesday, but Bresnahan held a lead of 2% with over 95% of the votes counted, according to unofficial results.
“I am so proud of the campaign that we ran, and proud that we gave voice to the issues that matter most to northeastern Pennsylvanians. In this close race, our volunteers and supporters gave their all to make their voices heard,” Cartwright said in a statement.
“I know this is not the result we hoped for, but it has been the honor of my life to represent our community in Congress,” he added. “I am so proud of everything we’ve been able to deliver for northeastern Pennsylvania. Thank you for your support, and congratulations to Rob on his win. I wish him the best as he steers northeastern Pennsylvania through the challenges ahead.”
Bresnahan declared victory in the race early Wednesday morning.
“I am humbled and honored by the trust the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania have placed in me to serve as their voice in the House of Representatives,” Bresnahan said in a press release. “I sincerely thank Congressman Matt Cartwright for his many years of service. While we may not always agree on how to best serve, I know he has always acted in what he believes is the best interest of Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
“I am eager to get to work for our district, and I give my word that as their Congressman, there will be no R or D next to my name—only N-E-P-A,” Bresnahan added. “We will bring back opportunities, stand up for our values, and fight for a brighter future for our communities.”
Cartwright was first elected to Congress in 2012 to represent the district in Northeast Pennsylvania. Over the past decade, the region has continued to shift to the right while Cartwright was representing the district.
Cartwright is the only Democratic member of the state’s congressional delegation who represented a district that former President Donald Trump won in 2016 and 2020. Scranton, the childhood hometown of President Joe Biden, is also included in the district.
The 2024 race for the seat between Cartwright and Bresnahan was one of the most expensive in the country. Entering the month of October, their campaigns raised a combined $11.55 million, which at the time was more than any other congressional race in Pennsylvania this cycle.
Heading into Election Day, multiple national ratings outlets viewed the race as a “toss-up.”
Cartwright’s concession makes him the second Democrat in the state’s congressional delegation to announce he did not win reelection, joining U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-7th District), who conceded her race in the Lehigh Valley to GOP state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.
All of the other incumbents in the state’s congressional delegation had either already been declared victorious as of Wednesday afternoon or held leads in their races for reelection.