EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, PA — Former U.S. Representative Matt Carwright announced on Thursday, June 5 that he did not plan to launch a bid to regain his seat in Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District, following a defeat in the 2024 elections to first-time politician Rob Bresnahan. 

The former three-term congressman said he seriously considered another bid, and took the full six months since the election to make the decision. 

He cited the strain of the job and the desire to make way for other candidates as contributing factors to his decision. "I worked 80-hour weeks at this job for 12 years," he said ."I've decided it's time to give it a rest and give the chance to someone else."

Cartwright gave a "mixed" review of the job Bresnahan was doing as his replacement. He congratulated Bresnahan on supporting the project to revive passenger rail service between Scranton and NYC, but said some of his votes left a lot to be desired. 

When asked if there was a particular candidate he would endorse for to challenge Bresnahan, Cartwright said there would be, but that he would have to see how the process played out. 

"One of the wonderful things about serving in this position is you get to know all of the politicians with a heartbeat in Northeastern Pennsylvania," Cartwright said. "And I did, and I have to say, we have a deep, deep bench on my side of the aisle."

When asked if the door was open for him to stand for office in 2028, Cartwright turned as if to consult with his wife, attorney Marion Munley, who stood with him at the podium.

After a moment, he turned back to the cameras. "The door's open," he said. 

A legacy for NEPA

Cartwright lingered in his remarks on the work he had accomplished during his three terms in office. 

He highlighted the status he attained as one of the chairs of the House Appropriations Committee, which crafts the chamber's budgetary bills. "That helped me bring a lot of our tax dollars back here to be put to work in our local economy, about $100 million on my own signature," he said. 

He also pointed out the sixteen bills that he wrote and passed into law, including the Camp Lejune Justice Act, as well as bills to streamline government operations. 

And he emphasized the work his office accomplished on the Amtrak passenger rail project. He continues to support the development of that project as a member of the board for the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority. 

The political landscape

"I do want to say a few words about politics," Cartwright said, partway through his prepared remarks. 

He advocated that people should not always vote for the 'change' candidate, "because half the time the change they offer is not for the better," and said people should do their research on the people they voted for. 

"Don't vote for candidates who scapegoat the least of our brothers and sisters," he said. "Targeting their lives isn't what is going to fix yours. Being kind to them won't hurt you."

He encouraged people to vote for leaders who would support the things that really matter: "for people’s healthcare, for police and first responders, for fair pharmaceutical prices, for veterans’ care, for seniors benefits, for workers’ rights, for civil rights, for voting rights and civil justice, for clean air and clean water, for tax fairness and sensible economic policies and for public education."

"These are the things I fought for, and I was proud to do it, and I’m proud to say I went down swinging for these things," Cartwright said. "Thanks to all the supporters, volunteers and voters—to everyone—who gave me the opportunity."