EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — It's one of the most closely watched races in the country: The congressional seat in the eighth district of Pennsylvania. Incumbent Democrat Matt Cartwright from Lackawanna County is facing off with Republican challenger from Luzerne County Rob Bresnahan.
Political analysts say the winner of this race could help shape the majority in the house.
28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick recently sat down exclusively with both candidates and asked them questions on a wide range of topics.
Cartwright is seeking his seventh term in the US House of Representatives to represent the people of the eighth district.
The district encompasses much of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the cities of Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton.
"Why should they choose you over our opponent?" Mehalshick asked.
"Andy, the answer is I've been effective and I have a lot more to do before I sign off in this job. We have a lot to do with lowering the cost of living, a lot to do with protecting and securing social security and medicare, protecting women's rights, and securing the border," Cartwright replied.
Your Local Election Headquarters
Mehalshick asked him about concerns over inflation.
"The inflation from the COVID was terrible. It was worse in Europe and worse in Canada than it was here, but it was still pretty awful here, and it is still lingering, and a lot of the costs are higher than they were just a few years ago, that's got to come down," Cartwright explained.
Cartwright says he has worked with not only Democrats but also Republicans to get key legislation passed.
"Andy, people know me as a worker and I've been working for almost 12 years in Congress. I'm happy to tell you that I work across the aisle very effectively. I have now passed no fewer than 16 substantive bills into law including bills that have helped Veterans Bills that streamline Government to make it work more efficiently fr people and I've had bills passed by three different Presidents," Cartwright continued.
Cartwright says he has brought home the bacon to northeastern Pennsylvania.
"Overall, I brought here over $83,000,000 in the past several years. My job is to bring home every penny of our fair share of Federal tax dollars..you know a local Congressman can't fix the entire economy but there's a lot you can do if you're effective and working across the aisle," Cartwright added.
Mehalshick asked Cartwright if he would be a rubber stamp yes on policies proposed by Vice President Kamala Harris should she win the White House.
"All of those 16 bills that I passed into law, like the Camp Lejune Justice Act, on Safe Guarding Veterans Financial Care Act that I wrote and passed, those were my ideas. They weren't somebody in the White House telling me what to do," Cartwright said.
Bresnahan is from Luzerne County and is trying to unseat Cartwright.
As with Cartwright, Mehalshick also sat down with him and asked him questions on a wide range of issues facing the eighth district and the nation.
"I'm not a career politician. I'm a third-generation Union Electrical Contractor. I'm born in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I'm raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania, I reinvested in Northeastern Pennsylvania, I created jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania," Bresnahan said.
Bresnahan insists that change is needed in Congress and he represents that change.
"I'm running against an individual. I used to say he's not a good guy or bad guy, my problem is you can't vote with Joe Biden nearly 100% of the time or Kamala Harris and that agenda nearly 100% of the time and say that you accurately represent Northeastern Pennsylvania. It's just impossible," Bresnahan explained.
Bresnahan says his top priority will be the economy.
"Well, when I win, I mean first and foremost, you need an economy that works. Right now, people are deciding between prescription medications, putting fuel inside their vehicles, paying for groceries. I mean, right now, it's really tough," Bresnahan continued.
Candidates for 9th Congressional District speak ahead of election
Bresnahan says a key priority for him is the southern border.
"You need a border that is secure. Border security is national security. I've been to the border twice. I've seen it with my own eyes. I felt that If I needed to advocate for border security, I needed to be there and understand and speak to Sheriff's deputies and speak to the hospital administrators and speak to the food pantries and the residents along border towns," Bresnahan added.
"Some would say are the new Republican candidates coming up, are they yes men for Donald Trump?" Mehalshick asked.
"I think my mother would be better suited to answer this question as I have been my own personal, personality since a very young age. The only rubber stamp that I'm going to take to Washington DC is what's best for Northeastern Pennsylvania," Bresnahan replied.
WVIA is hosting a debate between Congressman Matt Cartwright and Rob Bresnahan on Tuesday night and Mehalshick is a panelist taking part in the debate.
You can catch the debate on WYOU at 10:00 p.m.
You can see the entire interviews with Cartwright and Bresnahan in the video players below.
