BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright has conceded to GOP challenger Rob Bresnahan in one of the year’s most closely watched House races.
Bresnahan leads Cartwright 51% to 49% in the 8th Congressional District, with 99% of all votes counted, the Associated Press reports.
“Thank you for your support, and congratulations to Rob on his win,” Cartwright tweeted Wednesday.
Bresnahan, 34, focused his campaign on tying Cartwright to surging inflation under the Biden-Harris administration and illegal immigration. He accused the incumbent of being a rubber stamp for progressive Democrats and out of touch with northeastern Pennsylvania voters.
Bresnahan also contrasted his youth to his 63-year-old opponent while portraying himself as a product of his family’s American Dream — as he became CFO of the construction company started by his grandparents while still in college.
Cartwright campaigned on his abortion-rights record while charging his opponent with wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare. His decision to dodge more than a single debate just two weeks before Election Day caused voters to accuse him of “hiding” his true positions on the issues.
The northeastern Pennsylvania district was rated a toss-up by Cook Political Report and covers parts of five counties: Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike and Wayne.
Though Cartwright was able to survive challenges from Republican Jim Bognet in both 2020 and 2022, redistricting made the district more conservative.
