Republicans scored a big win in Pennsylvania on Tuesday when Rob Bresnahan picked off Rep. Matt Cartwright, Decision Desk HQ projects, denying the Democratic incumbent a seventh term in the northeastern corner of the Keystone State.
Cartwright was among just five sitting Democrats running for reelection in districts won by Donald Trump in 2020. And with Trump back on the top of the ticket, he was a major target of GOP operatives, who sought to reach voters in the blue-collar district by attacking the Biden administration’s policies on the economy and immigration.
Bresnahan, a local business owner, led the charge, focusing his message on linking Cartwright to the high inflation that hit the country hard during and after the COVID-19 pandemic — a trend Republicans have blamed on the economic policies of President Biden and Democrats.
Bresnahan also focused sharply on border security — another topic where Democrats have been vulnerable following a surge in migration at the southern border.
Cartwright was also one of the few downballot Democrats who might have been harmed, rather than helped, by Biden’s decision to drop off the presidential ticket this year. That’s because the 8th District includes the city of Scranton, Biden’s hometown, where many voters still have a soft-spot for their famous native son.
Cartwright was the much more formidable fundraiser throughout the cycle, hauling in more than $8 million, versus Bresnahan’s $3.3 million, according to Open Secrets. But outside groups helped level the playing field, dumping $11 million into the race on behalf of the GOP challenger, versus $9.1 million for Cartwright.