November 6 – DALLAS TWP. — Fresh off his victory over U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright on Tuesday, Republican Rob Bresnahan said Wednesday it’s time to get to work.
Bresnahan, 34, of Dallas Township, defeated six-term Democrat Cartwright to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
According to unofficial results, Bresnahan received 192,784 votes to 185,360 for Cartwright, 62, of Moosic.
“We’re going to build our team now,” Bresnahan said. “There will be no downtime. We plan to build an incredible constituency service to do the best work we can for all the people we represent in the 8th District.”
Bresnahan said he is eager to work for all the people in his new job.
“And I give my word that as a member of Congress there will be no R or D next to my name – only NEPA,” Bresnahan said. “We will bring back opportunity, stand up for our values and fight for a better future for our communities.”
Bresnahan said he has received several calls from Republican leadership, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who came to the area twice to campaign for Bresnahan. Republicans are likely to retain a majority in the House of Representatives and are poised to take control of the Senate and White House alongside newly elected President Donald Trump.
While in the area for Bresnahan in May, Johnson took time for a phone interview with the Times Leader. Johnson, 52, of Louisiana, said his visit to Dallas Township to campaign for Bresnahan was one of the most important stops he made because the Democratic Cartwright seat was crucial to the Republican party’s victory.
“This race is important not just for the district, but for the entire country,” Johnson said in May, adding that the 8th Congressional District was one of the top five races in the country.
“It’s really a very important seat,” Johnson said. “We are deeply committed to growing the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. President Biden had advanced policies that have hurt hardworking American families – the wide-open southern border, the high cost of and rising crime rates. The White House is projecting weakness on the world stage.”
Johnson said he was confident voters in Pennsylvania would see the situation as voters across the U.S. saw it. He said Cartwright was part of “the Progressive Caucus in the House,” which he said “is not reflective of the 8th District.”
Johnson said the road to expanding the majority in the House of Representatives passes through Pennsylvania, and he was confident Bresnahan would win in November.
“Rob understands hard work and has dedicated his career to creating jobs in his community,” Johnson said.
At that same event in May, Speaker Johnson also praised U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, who was re-elected to the 9th Congressional District on Tuesday.
“Dan Meuser is a fantastic congressman,” Johnson said. “He always makes smart decisions and brings a lot of skill. Everyone in Congress respects Dan’s business acumen and I consider him one of my best friends.”
Speaker Johnson said he saw a “real zeal for change” among the electorate in America during his campaign travels.
“Voters are very optimistic about this election cycle,” Johnson said. “I am confident that Republicans can increase the majority in the House of Representatives and regain the Senate and the White House.”
Johnson of Louisiana was elected 56th Speaker of the House of Representatives on October 25, 2023, replacing Representative Kevin McCarthy.
Cartwright admits; congratulates Bresnahan
Bresnahan said Cartwright called him late Tuesday night.
“He congratulated me and gave me some advice,” Bresnahan said. “I respect that and I thanked him.”
During a victory celebration Tuesday evening, Bresnahan said he was “humbled and honored” by the trust the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania placed in him to serve as their voice in the House of Representatives.
“I sincerely thank Congressman Matt Cartwright for his many years of service,” Bresnahan said. “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.”
In conceding the race to Bresnahan, Cartwright issued the following statement:
“I am so proud of the campaign we ran and proud that we gave voice to the issues that matter most to the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania. In this exciting race, our volunteers and supporters gave everything to make their voices heard.
“I know this is not the outcome we hoped for, but it has been the honor of a lifetime to represent our community in Congress. I am so proud of everything we have been able to accomplish for northeastern Pennsylvania.
“Thank you for your support and congratulations to Rob on his victory. I wish him the best as he guides Northeastern Pennsylvania through the challenges ahead.”
Cartwright has represented Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District since 2013. During his time in office, he said he introduced more bills with bipartisan support than any other House Democrat. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, he said he has delivered substantial federal investments for law enforcement, economic development and infrastructure in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
