GOP Upstart Upsets Incumbent in 8th CD
By Bob Small
In Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District GOP challenger Rob Bresnahan, a businessman with no political experience upset Democrat Matt Cartwright, who had a decade in Congress. The tally was 195,663 votes or 50.8 percent to 189,411 or 49.2 percent.
Bresnahan said “I am eager to work for our district,. I give my word that as their congressman, there will be no R or D next to my name, only N-E-P-A.”
Rob Bresnahan joined his grandfather’s electrical business, Kuharchik Construction.
He became CEO in 2019, after graduating the University of Scranton. In 2023, Bresnahan partnered Kuharchik Construction with Midwestern Electric near Chicago. He founded RPB Ventures to re-vitalize his communities.
He is engaged to Chelsea Strub, a news anchor at WNEP-TV.
Matt Cartwright his decade, introduced more bills with Democrat and Republican support than any House democrat. He was named “Bipartisan Champion:” by the Common Ground Committee.
He earned his JD from the University of Pennsylvania’s Law School in 1986. He and his wife Marion have two sons.
Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District is composed of all of Lackawanna, Pike and Wayne counties and parts of Luzerne and Monroe counties. Peter H Kostmeyer (D) served almost 15 years, though not all consecutively (1977-81, 1983-93).
Similarly, Mike Fitzpatrick (2005-07 and 2011-17), followed by his younger brother Brian Fitzpattrick (2017-19), all GOP. In between them was a Democrat, one Patrick Murphy (2007-11).
Obviously, it was not always in NEPA.
But the one Representative who should still be remembered was anti-slavery firebrand Thaddeus Stevens. Though he only served for four years, 1849-53, this Whig, he became a leader of what became known as “the Radical Republicans”. See Thaddeus Stevens for more, including his role in the attempted impeachment of President Andrew Johnson.
Back then, to be called a “Radical Republican” might be considered an honor. Now?
GOP Upstart Upsets Incumbent in 8th CD
