On Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-8) conceded in his re-election race against Republican challenger Rob Bresnahan. The Associated Press had not yet called the race as of 1 p.m. Wednesday, but unofficial results showed Bresnahan maintained a 2% lead with more than 95% of the votes counted.
“I am very proud of the campaign we ran and proud that we made our voices heard on the issues most significant to the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania. In this close race, our volunteers and supporters gave their all to make their voices heard,” Cartwright said in a statement.
“I know this wasn’t the result we expected, but it was an honor to represent our community in Congress,” he added. “I am very proud of all we have been able to deliver for Northeastern Pennsylvania. Thank you for your support and congratulations to Rob on his victory. I wish him all the best as he leads Northeastern Pennsylvania through the challenges it faces.”
Bresnahan claimed victory in the race early Wednesday morning.
“I am honored and humbled by the trust that the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania have placed in me to serve as their voice in the House of Representatives,” Bresnahan stated in a press release. “I sincerely thank Congressman Matt Cartwright for his many years of service. While we don’t always agree on how best to serve, I know he always acted in what he believed was the best interest of northeastern Pennsylvania.”
“I look forward to working in our district and I give you my word that as a congressman my name will not be R or D, only NEPA,” Bresnahan added. “We will restore opportunity, defend our values and fight for a better future for our communities.”
Cartwright was first elected to Congress in 2012 to represent a district in northeastern Pennsylvania. Over the past decade, the region continued to move right while Cartwright represented the district.
Cartwright is the only Democrat in the state’s congressional delegation to represent the district won by former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. The district also includes Scranton, President Joe Biden’s childhood hometown.
The race for the 2024 seat between Cartwright and Bresnahan was one of the most pricey in the country. As October came, their campaigns intensified a total of $11.55 millionwhich, at the time, was more than any other congressional race in Pennsylvania this cycle.
Heading into Election Day, many national ratings agencies viewed the race as a “tie.”
Cartwright’s concession makes him the second Democrat in the state’s congressional delegation to announce he did not win re-election, joining U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-7th District), who conceded her Lehigh Valley race to GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.
All remaining officials in the state’s congressional delegation had either already been declared winners as of Wednesday afternoon or had taken the lead in the re-election race.
