Matt Cartwright

{{Short description|American politician (born 1961)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Matt Cartwright | image = Representative Matt Cartwright (2024).jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2024 | state = Pennsylvania | term_start = January 3, 2013 | term_end = January 3, 2025 | predecessor = Tim Holden | successor = Rob Bresnahan | constituency = {{ushr|PA|17|C}} (2013–2019) {{ushr|PA|8|C}} (2019–2025) {{Collapsed infobox section begin|Party positions|titlestyle=border: 1px dashed lightgrey;}} | office1 = Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee | alongside1 = Debbie Dingell, Ted Lieu and Joe Neguse | leader1 = Nancy Pelosi | term_start1 = January 3, 2019 | term_end1 = January 3, 2023 | predecessor1 = Cheri Bustos David Cicilline Hakeem Jeffries | successor1 = Veronica Escobar Dean Phillips Lauren Underwood {{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes }} {{Collapsed infobox section end}} | birth_name = Matthew Alton Cartwright | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|5|1}} | birth_place = Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | spouse = {{marriage|Marion Munley|1985}} | children = 2 | education = Hamilton College (BA) University of Pennsylvania (JD) | website = {{url|cartwright.house.gov|House website}} {{url|cartwrightcongress.com|Campaign website}} }} '''Matthew Alton Cartwright''' (born May 1, 1961) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for {{ushr|PA|8}} from 2013 to 2025. The district includes a large swath of northeastern Pennsylvania, anchored by Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and the Poconos. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Cartwright was first elected to Congress in 2012 after defeating incumbent Tim Holden in the Democratic primary.<ref name=Poconorecord>{{cite web|title=Cartwright beats out Cummings for 17th District House seat|url=http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121107/NEWS/211070332|work=poconorecord.com|access-date=8 November 2012|archive-date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017130328/http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121107/NEWS/211070332|url-status=dead}}</ref> As an attorney, Cartwright previously worked at the law firm of Munley, Munley, and Cartwright.

Cartwright was unseated in the 2024 House elections, where he lost to first-time challenger Rob Bresnahan.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pennsylvanias-8th-congressional-district-race.amp | title=Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Matt Cartwright concedes race to GOP challenger | Fox News | website=Fox News }}</ref>

==Early life and education== Cartwright was born on May 1, 1961, in Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of Alton S. Cartwright and Adelaide (Igoe) Cartwright. He attended Upper Canada College (Toronto), graduating in 1979, before earning a Bachelor of Arts in history, ''magna cum laude'', from Hamilton College in 1983,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/matthew-cartwright-83-runs-for-congress|title= Matthew Cartwright '83 Runs for Congress Alumni News & Notes |publisher=Hamilton College|access-date= July 11, 2014}}</ref> where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.<ref>{{cite web |title=Phi Beta Kappa Members of the 118th United States Congress |url=https://www.pbk.org/about/congress |website=The Phi Beta Kappa Society |access-date=3 February 2024}}</ref>

Cartwright studied law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1986.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517081849/http://cartwrightcongress.com/home/about/ |archive-date=May 17, 2012 |url-status=usurped |url=http://cartwrightcongress.com/home/about|title=Meet Matt: Cartwright for U.S. Congress|publisher=cartwrightcongress.com|access-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref> In 1981, Cartwright attended the London School of Economics,<ref>{{cite web|title=Matthew Cartwright|url=http://smallbusiness.forbes.com/small-business-braintrust/matthew-cartwright-371|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120209223749/http://smallbusiness.forbes.com/small%2Dbusiness%2Dbraintrust/matthew%2Dcartwright%2D371|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2012|work=Forbes|access-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref> where he met his future wife, Marion Munley. After graduating from law school, Cartwright worked as an associate in the litigation department of the Philadelphia law firm Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads, practicing commercial and securities litigation. In 1988, both Munley and Cartwright joined the Munley family's law firm in the Scranton area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cartwright.house.gov/about/biography|title=house.gov|work=Congressman Matt Cartwright |date=December 11, 2012 |accessdate=10 March 2023}}</ref>

==Legal career== For 24 years, Cartwright worked as an attorney and partner at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys (formerly Munley, Munley and Cartwright), a Scranton firm representing victims, consumers and small businesses in personal and business litigation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Adam|title=Cartwright, Holden face off in 17th District primary|url=https://www.mcall.com/2012/04/19/cartwright-holden-face-off-in-17th-district-primary/|newspaper=The Morning Call|date=April 19, 2012}}</ref> He was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1986 and in 2005 was further admitted to the Bar of New York. In 2008, Cartwright was inducted into the International Society of Barristers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munley.com/cartwrgt.html|title=Matthew A. Cartwright|publisher=Munley, Munley & Cartwright|access-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref>

From 2009 to 2012, Cartwright served as a member of the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/pennsylvania-attorney/aaj-leadership-role/prweb8645167.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222045909/http://www.prweb.com/releases/pennsylvania-attorney/aaj-leadership-role/prweb8645167.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2013|title=Pennsylvania Attorney Matthew A. Cartwright Chosen to Serve on AAJ Board of Governors|publisher=Prweb.com|date=July 14, 2011|access-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref> Between 2005 and 2011, Cartwright was the on-air legal analyst for ''The Law & You''. In the segment, aired nightly as part of NBC affiliate WBRE-TV's evening newscast, he fielded viewer questions on legal matters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Toeplitz|first=Shira|title=Redistricting Makes Blue Dog Holden an Underdog|url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_122/Tim-Holden-Redistricting-Makes-Blue-Dog-an-Underdog-213827-1.html?pos=hln|newspaper=Roll Call|date=April 17, 2012}}</ref> In 2011, Cartwright co-authored the legal treatise ''Litigating Commercial and Business Tort Cases'' published by Thomson Reuters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legalsolutions.thomsonreuters.com/law-products/Practice-Materials/Litigating-Business-and-Commercial-Tort-Cases-2013-ed/p/100096021|title=Litigating Business and Commercial Tort Cases|publisher=Thomson Reuters|access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref>

During the 1992 presidential election, Cartwright was an elected delegate for Bill Clinton at the Democratic National Convention, representing Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district.<ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Moyer|url=http://citizensvoice.com/news/cartwright-emphasizes-health-care-trade-in-platform-1.1297529|title=Cartwright emphasizes health care, trade in platform|publisher=Citizens Voice|date=April 10, 2012|access-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gibson|first=Keegan|url=http://www.politicspa.com/serious-primary-challenger-emerges-for-holden/30293|title=Serious Primary Challenger Emerges for Holden|publisher=PoliticsPA|date=December 22, 2011|access-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref> In 2001–2002, he served as District Governor for Rotary International District 7410, covering northeastern Pennsylvania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portal.clubrunner.ca/50202/SitePage/past-district-governors|title=Rotary District 7410 Northeastern Pennsylvania Past District Governors|access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> On November 5, 2010, the Boy Scouts of America's Northeastern Pennsylvania Council presented Cartwright with its Silver Beaver Award for volunteer service to that organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lackawannacounty.wnep.com/content/boy-scouts-present-silver-beaver-awards|title=Boy Scouts Present Silver Beaver Awards|access-date=April 13, 2014}}</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives== ===Elections===

==== 2012 ==== {{see also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 17}} [[File:Matt Cartwright, official portrait, 113th Congress.jpg|thumb|Cartwright during the 113th United States Congress ]] Pennsylvania Republicans, who controlled the redistricting process after the 2010 United States census, significantly altered Holden's 17th district. The old 17th had been based in Harrisburg, but the new 17th had been pushed well to the north and east. In the process, it absorbed heavily Democratic Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, previously in the 11th district.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lindsey|first=Zach|url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/elections/index.ssf/2012/04/matt_cartwright_in_victory_ove.html|title=Matt Cartwright in victory over U.S. Rep. Tim Holden: Time to 'rebuild' |date=25 April 2012|publisher=The Express-Times|access-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref> The remap significantly altered the 17th's demographics. The old 17th had been anchored in traditionally Republican territory in central Pennsylvania; in much of the district, Holden was the only elected Democrat above the county level. John McCain carried it with 51 percent of the vote. In contrast, the new 17th was anchored in northeastern Pennsylvania, which had long been the most Democratic region of the state outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Had the district existed in 2008, Barack Obama would have carried it with 56 percent of the vote.

An internal poll from Cartwright showed him up seven points against Holden, the incumbent. The new district was significantly bluer than its predecessor and was located in territory where constituents were unfamiliar with Holden. The only portion of the district that had been in the old 17th was Holden's home in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, with the majority of Democratic primary voters located in counties considered more favorable to Cartwright's candidacy.<ref name=papolitics>{{cite news|first=Keegan|last=Gibson|title=Cartwright Poll: Cartwright Leads Holden 42-36|url=http://www.politicspa.com/cartwright-poll-cartwright-leads-holden-42-36/33790|work=PoliticsPA|date=2012-04-09|access-date=2012-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bland|first=Scott|title=Holden Loses Re-Election Bid to Cartwright|url=http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2012/04/holden-loses-re.php|newspaper=National Journal|date=April 24, 2012}}</ref> During the primary, Cartwright described himself as being from "the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party"—a line often employed by Howard Dean and Paul Wellstone.<ref>{{cite news|last=Joseph|first=Cameron|title=Holden gets primary challenge in Pa.|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/103882-holden-gets-primary-challenge-in-pa/|newspaper=The Hill|date=January 25, 2012}}</ref> He was supported by MoveOn.org, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Campaign for Primary Accountability.<ref>{{cite news|last=Isenstadt|first=Alex|title=Jason Altimire, Tim Holden fall in Pennsylvania primaries|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/04/2-incumbents-fall-in-pa-primaries-075577|newspaper=Politico|date=April 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sledge|first=Matt|title=Matt Cartwright, Environmentalist Candidate, Wins Pennsylvania Primary With Help Of Oil Magnates|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/25/matt-cartwright-tim-holden-pennsylvania-primary_n_1452508.html|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=April 25, 2012}}</ref> Cartwright ran as a self-professed "FDR Democrat", and as an ally of President Obama on taxes and health care reform, and pledged to work with U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., also of Scranton, on regulations for safety in fracking. Cartwright also benefited in the race from endorsements from popular local public figures like State Representative Phyllis Mundy and former Scranton mayor Jimmy Connors. Holden's opposition to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and his support of energy legislation that included the Halliburton loophole are believed to have contributed to his defeat.<ref>{{cite news|last=Weisman|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/26/us/politics/2-house-democrats-defeated-after-opposing-health-law.html?_r=1|title=2 House Democrats Defeated After Opposing Health Law|work=The New York Times|date=April 25, 2012|access-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref> On April 24, 2012, Cartwright defeated Holden by 57%–43%, in the primary.<ref name="CBS">{{cite news|title=Holden, longtime Pa. incumbent, ousted in primary|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holden-longtime-pa-incumbent-ousted-in-primary/|newspaper=CBS News|date=April 25, 2012}}</ref>

In the November general election, Cartwright faced Republican nurse Laureen Cummings, a leader of the Scranton Tea Party. On November 6, Cartwright defeated Cummings by 61%–39%, to become the district's next congressman.<ref>{{cite web|title=STATE-BY-STATE RESULTS|url=https://www.boston.com/news/special/politics/2012/general/us-house-election-results4-2012.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110014936/http://boston.com/news/special/politics/2012/general/us-house-election-results4-2012.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 10, 2012|work=boston.com|access-date=November 8, 2012}}</ref>

On January 4, 2013, Cartwright was selected by his peers to serve as a class president of the 49 new Democratic members of the 113th Congress.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kurtz|first=Connor|title=Cartwright Elected Freshman Dem President|url=http://www.politicspa.com/cartwright-elected-freshman-dem-president/45186/|work=PoliticsPA|access-date=January 12, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bell|first=Peter|title=The New Faces of the 113th Congress|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress-legacy/the-new-faces-of-the-113th-congress-20121105|newspaper=National Journal|date=November 15, 2012}}</ref>

==== 2014 ==== {{see also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 17}}

On November 4, 2014, Cartwright won a second term, defeating Republican challenger David Moylan, M.D., the elected Coroner of Schuylkill County, by 13.6 points.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cartwright Cruises to Second Term|url=http://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-pa-congress-election-17th-cartwright-moylan-20141104-story.html|newspaper=The Morning Call|date=November 4, 2014|archive-date=December 21, 2016|access-date=December 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221042051/http://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-pa-congress-election-17th-cartwright-moylan-20141104-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== 2016 ==== {{see also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 17}}[[File:Rep. Kaptur attends Blue Collar Caucus meeting (33453416860).jpg|thumb|Cartwright (head of table) meeting with AFL-CIO members in 2017]]

On November 8, 2016, Cartwright won a third term, defeating Republican challenger Matthew Connolly, a businessman from Northampton County, by seven points.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cartwright Soundly Defeats Republican Challenger|url=http://citizensvoice.com/news/cartwright-soundly-defeats-republican-challenger-1.2115300|newspaper=The Citizens Voice|date=November 9, 2016}}</ref>

==== 2018 ==== {{see also|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 8}}

In the 2016 general election, President Donald Trump won the 17th district by over 10% in the concurrent presidential election. Facing an underfunded opponent, Cartwright did not run television advertisements. That year, Cartwright won re-election by only seven points, representing his lowest margin of victory.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2012/11/19/1163009/-Daily-Kos-Elections-presidential-results-by-congressional-district-for-the-2012-2008-elections|title=Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for the 2016 and 2012 elections|work=Daily Kos|access-date=2017-11-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/house|title=House Election Results: G.O.P. Keeps Control|work=The New York Times|date=13 September 2017 |access-date=2017-11-24|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As a result, the National Republican Congressional Committee began to see Cartwright as potentially vulnerable, and listed him as a top target. In response, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee included him on its "frontline" list.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dccc.org/frontline/|title=2017–2018 DCCC Frontline Members|work=DCCC|access-date=2017-11-24|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nrcc.org/2017/02/08/nrcc-announces-initial-offensive-targets-2018-cycle/|title=NRCC Announces Initial Offensive Targets For The 2018 Cycle - NRCC|date=2017-02-08|work=NRCC|access-date=2017-11-24|language=en-US}}</ref> Despite this, the district was rated as Likely D, meaning it was expected that Cartwright would win re-election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings|title=2018 House Race ratings {{!}} The Cook Political Report|website=The Cook Political Report|language=en|access-date=2017-11-24}}</ref>

After the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania threw out Pennsylvania's previous congressional map, Cartwright's district was renumbered as the 8th district. It was pushed to the north and now covers the northeast corner of the state, but it also sweeps west to grab Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. In the process, it absorbed the remainder of Lackawanna County previously in the 10th district, as well as almost all of Luzerne County.

In the election, Cartwright faced a self-funding opponent who spent $1.7 million of his family's money in the race, in total outspending Cartwright by nearly $300,000, including direct expenditures of $625,778 by the NRCC.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2018&id=PA08&spec=N |title=Summary | publisher=OpenSecrets}}</ref>

Cartwright won his fourth term by 9.3% with 54.65% of the vote without financial assistance from the DCCC.<ref name="auto1"/>

Following the general election, Cartwright was elected to House Democratic leadership, to serve as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee for the 116th Congress in the House Democratic Caucus elections.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/new-democratic-elected-leadership-team-is-more-progressive-and-diverse|title=House Democrats' New Elected Leadership Team Is More Progressive and Diverse|work=Roll Call|date=December 4, 2018|access-date=March 24, 2019|archive-date=December 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205133736/https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/new-democratic-elected-leadership-team-is-more-progressive-and-diverse|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== 2020 ==== {{see also|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 8}}

On November 3, 2020, despite Donald Trump again carrying his district, Cartwright won a fifth term, defeating Republican challenger Jim Bognet, the former senior vice president for communications of the Export–Import Bank of the United States,<ref>{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Kent |title=Hazleton native seeks GOP nomination in 8th District |url=https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/hazleton-native-seeks-gop-nomination-in-8th-district-1.2586765 |website=The Citizens' Voice |access-date=March 10, 2021 |date=January 24, 2020 |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611230200/https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/hazleton-native-seeks-gop-nomination-in-8th-district-1.2586765 |url-status=dead }}</ref> by 3.6 points. In contrast, Trump won the district against Democratic challenger and Scranton native Joe Biden by 4.4 points during the concurrent presidential election. At 8%, Cartwright's 2020 victory represented the largest over-performance by a Democrat in Pennsylvania compared to the presidential result, and the second largest for a Democratic win in a district Trump carried in the entire House, only behind Jared Golden of Maine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talkelections.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=431218.0|title = PA congressional districts 2020: Congress vs. Biden}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/2020s-crossover-districts/|title = 2020's Crossover Districts – Sabato's Crystal Ball| date=February 4, 2021 }}</ref> As a result, Cartwright became one of only seven incumbent Democratic Representatives in the U.S. House to win their seats despite Trump prevailing over Biden in them.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://decisiondeskhq.com/pa-8-an-in-depth-look-at-a-trump-democratic-house-district/|title=PA-8: An In-Depth Look At A Trump-Democratic House District|publisher=Decision Desk HQ|last=Field|first=Nick|date=March 10, 2021|accessdate=March 10, 2021|archive-date=March 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310151433/https://decisiondeskhq.com/pa-8-an-in-depth-look-at-a-trump-democratic-house-district/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also was one of only three Democrats in the U.S. House to defend their seats successfully despite Donald Trump winning their districts twice.<ref name="auto"/>

Following the general election, Cartwright was re-elected to House Democratic leadership, to serve as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee for the 117th Congress in the 2020 United States House of Representatives Democratic Caucus leadership elections.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

On January 25, 2021, Cartwright was elected Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science and Related Agencies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/817608/cartwright-elected-chairman-of-house-appropriations-subcommittee|title=Cartwright elected chairman of House Appropriations Subcommittee|date=27 January 2021}}</ref>

==== 2022 ==== {{see also|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 8}}

Cartwright ran for reelection in 2022 in a rematch against Bognet. Cartwright won the election by 2.4 points.

In the lead-up to the election, the 8th District's race was seen as potentially determining whether or not the Democratic Party would maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pathe |first1=Simone |title=How to tell if the GOP is heading for a landslide in the House |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/28/politics/midterm-elections-gop-us-house-races/index.html |access-date=15 December 2022 |work=CNN |date=November 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Terruso |first1=Julia |title=This Democratic congressman keeps winning his Pa. Trump district. This year may be his toughest fight yet. |url=https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/matt-cartwright-jim-bognet-scranton-congress-biden-northeastern-pennsylvania-8th-district-20220828.html |access-date=15 December 2022 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=August 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Greenwood |first1=Max |title=Seven races that could determine control of the House |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3626104-seven-races-that-could-determine-control-of-the-house/ |access-date=15 December 2022 |work=The Hill |publisher=Nexstar Media Inc. |date=September 6, 2022}}</ref> Cartwright did win his race, but Democrats ultimately lost their majority in the House.

In 2022, Cartwright appeared in advertisements praising one of his top donor's law firm in what ''Axios'' described as "an apparent misunderstanding over video shot for the Pennsylvania Democrat's bill about water contamination at Camp Lejeune." Members of Congress are not allowed to use official resources to promote commercial activity. Cartwright sent a cease and desist letter to the law firm, which took down the ads.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/08/25/matt-cartwright-video-donor-ad-house-ethics | title=Congressman demands donor stop using him in TV ads | date=25 August 2022 }}</ref>

Outside spending on behalf of Jim Bognet in the 2020 race totalled $383,105, when Bognet lost by 3.6%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/races/outside-spending?cycle=2020&id=PA08|work=Open Secrets|title=Pennsylvania District 08 2020 Race|access-date=January 14, 2023}}</ref> In the 2022 race, outside spending amassed on behalf of Bognet reached $7,267,960, and he lost by 2.4%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/races/outside-spending?cycle=2022&id=PA08|work=Open Secrets|title=Pennsylvania District 08 2022 Race|access-date=January 14, 2023}}</ref>

Following the election, Cartwright was the only member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus from a district which voted for Donald Trump for president.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Saksa |first1=Jim |title=Democrat Cartwright advises GOP to tame the 'crazies' |url=https://rollcall.com/2023/04/18/democrat-cartwright-advises-gop-to-tame-the-crazies/ |access-date=7 August 2023 |work=Roll Call |date=April 18, 2023}}</ref>

====2024==== {{see also|2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania#District 8}}

The 8th District race in 2024 was considered to be a toss-up. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee placed Cartwright in their "Frontline Program" due to his vulnerable incumbency status; he received extra fundraising support from the campaign committee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ulrich |first1=Steve |title=Cartwright, Wild, Deluzio on DCCC Frontline List |url=https://www.politicspa.com/cartwright-wild-deluzio-on-dccc-frontline-list/119147/ |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=PoliticsPA |date=March 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cole |first1=John |title=Cartwright fundraising edges out Bresnahan in PA8 |url=https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/cartwright-fundraising-edges-out-bresnahan-in-pa8/ |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=Pennsylvania-Capital Star |date=February 1, 2024}}</ref> Cartwright was defeated in the general election by Republican nominee Rob Bresnahan.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Delfino |first1=Jessica |title=Cartwright, Bresnahan agree on one debate |url=https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cartwright-bresnahan-agree-on-one-debate/article_51b904a0-79d1-11ef-b7d4-4f58037cc751.html |website=Times Tribune |access-date=3 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Culkin |first1=Jack |title=Rob Bresnahan defeats incumbent Matt Cartwright in Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District |url=https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/rob-bresnahan-defeats-matt-cartwright-democrat-republican-us-house-district-8-congress/523-ac8e4064-87cc-4b46-8e34-5915a1efcb1f |access-date=27 November 2024 |work=wnep.com |date=6 November 2024}}</ref>

=== Committee assignments ===

* Committee on Appropriations **Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science (Ranking Member) **Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government * House Democratic Committee on Steering and Policy **Elected representative for Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia

=== Caucus memberships === * Congressional Taiwan Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Congressional Taiwan Caucus|date=August 16, 2022 |url=https://sherman.house.gov/taiwancaucus| publisher=Congressman Brad Sherman|access-date=11 August 2025}}</ref> * Congressional Progressive Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Caucus Members|url=https://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=71&sectiontree=2,71|publisher=Congressional Progressive Caucus|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022024104/https://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=71&sectiontree=2,71|archive-date=22 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Congressional Ukraine Caucus<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukrainecaucus-kaptur.house.gov/members |title=Members |date=June 13, 2022 |publisher=Congressional Ukraine Caucus|access-date=7 October 2025}}</ref> * House Military Depot and Industrial Facilities Caucus<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ciclt.net/sn/pol/poc_detail.aspx?P_ID=&ClientCode=masc&LegComID=20416|title=House Military Depot and Industrial Facilities Caucus|publisher=Municipal Association of South Carolina|work=Legislative Tracking System|access-date=March 24, 2019}}</ref> * Congressional Solar Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi And Ralph Norman Relaunch The Bipartisan Congressional Solar Caucus For The 118th Congress|author=|url=https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-raja-krishnamoorthi-and-ralph-norman-relaunch-bipartisan|format=|publisher=United States Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi|date=May 25, 2023|accessdate=14 November 2024}}</ref> * Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Caucus<ref>{{cite web|url=https://seec-tonko.house.gov/membership/members|title=SEEC Caucus Members|access-date=March 25, 2019|archive-date=March 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326025628/https://seec-tonko.house.gov/membership/members|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Strengthening Conservation Advocacy: Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus Expansion & Reconstitution|author=|url=https://www.refugeassociation.org/news/2023/12/18/strengthening-conservation-advocacy-congressional-wildlife-refuge-caucus-expansion-amp-reconstitution|format=|publisher=National Wildlife Refuge Association|date=December 15, 2023|accessdate=11 March 2025|archive-date=January 28, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128114007/https://www.refugeassociation.org/news/2023/12/18/strengthening-conservation-advocacy-congressional-wildlife-refuge-caucus-expansion-amp-reconstitution|url-status=dead}}</ref> * United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|access-date=1 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|archive-date=1 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Veterinary Medicine Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus|url=https://schrader.house.gov/committees/veterinary-medicine-caucus.htm|publisher=Veterinary Medicine Caucus|access-date=12 October 2018|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090924/https://schrader.house.gov/committees/veterinary-medicine-caucus.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Climate Solutions Caucus<ref>{{cite web|title=90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members|url=https://citizensclimatelobby.org/climate-solutions-caucus/|publisher=Citizen´s Climate Lobby |access-date=20 October 2018}}</ref> * Blue Collar Caucus * House Pro-Choice Caucus<ref>{{cite web |url=https://houseprochoicecaucus-degette.house.gov/about-pcc/members | title=Members | date=19 August 2021 }}</ref>

== Post-congressional career == Cartwright was appointed to the board of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, with his term expiring in 2029.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-22 |title=Commissioners appoint Cartwright to railroad authority as progress on Scranton-to-NYC train project continues |url=https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2025/01/22/commissioners-appoint-cartwright-to-railroad-authority-as-progress-on-scranton-to-nyc-train-project-continues/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Scranton Times-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> In June 2025, Cartwright joined the law firm Lowey Dannenberg, P.C., as a partner in their Healthcare Litigation practice group,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-11 |title=Welcoming Matt Cartwright: Lowey Dannenberg’s Newest Partner |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/11/3097798/0/en/Welcoming-Matt-Cartwright-Lowey-Dannenberg-s-Newest-Partner.html |access-date=2026-04-08 |website=Globe Newswire |language=en-US}}</ref> which brings claims against pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HealthCare |url=https://lowey.com/health-care/ |access-date=2026-04-08 |website=Lowey Dannenberg |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Political positions== Cartwright votes with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time, according to ''FiveThirtyEight'' analysis completed in January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Aaron |last2=Wiederkehr |first2=Anna |date=2021-04-22 |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423141050/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Congress Wreath-Laying Ceremony at U.S. Army Cpl. Frank Buckles' Gravesite (51189778141).jpg|thumb|Cartwright at a wreath-laying ceremony with Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL)]]

===Healthcare=== Ed O'Keefe of the ''Washington Post'' wrote on November 3, 2013, that Cartwright was elected largely based on the Affordable Care Act "because the veteran moderate Democrat he challenged in a primary voted against it." According to O'Keefe, "Cartwright spent his first year in office preparing constituents for 'the ACA'."<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Keefe |first=Ed |date=2013-11-03 |title=A loyal Democrat, standing by the health-care law despite the troubled rollout, takes the stage to defend it. |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rep-matt-cartwright-loyal-democrat-stands-by-health-care-law-takes-stage-to-defend-it/2013/11/03/1ce58ce6-423b-11e3-a751-f032898f2dbc_story.html |access-date=2023-05-03 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Cartwright supports "Medicare for All" legislation that could eliminate private insurance, raise taxes, and cause doctor shortages and hospitals to shut down. |url=https://www.democratfacts.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Cartwright-Medicare-for-All.pdf |website=democratfacts.org}}</ref>

In May 2017, Cartwright voted against the Republican-sponsored American Health Care Act.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stallsmith |first=Shelly |title=4 Pa. Republicans voted against health care bill |url=https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2017/05/04/4-pa-republicans-voted-against-health-care-bill/101298986/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Statesman Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> Cartwright said in January 2018 that he continued to support the Affordable Care Act.<ref name="mcall.com">Peterson, Margie; At town hall, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright weighs in on tax bill, coal industry and whether he welcomes a primary challenge; The Morning Call; January 25, 2018; http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-matt-cartwright-town-hall-pa17-pbs-20180124-story.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213080451/http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-matt-cartwright-town-hall-pa17-pbs-20180124-story.html |date=February 13, 2018 }}</ref> Cartwright also supports Medicare for All.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1976/cosponsors?searchResultViewType=expanded|title=Cosponsors - H.R.1976 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Medicare for All Act of 2021|last=Jayapal|first=Pramila|date=2021-03-17|website=www.congress.gov|access-date=2021-03-17}}</ref>

=== Veterans === In 2021, Cartwright introduced the Camp Lejeune Justice Act,<ref>{{Cite web |title=H.R.2192 - Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 |date=October 19, 2021 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2192 }}</ref> which became law as part of Section 706 of the Honoring our PACT Act. This created a new federal cause of action for those exposed to and injured by the toxins in the water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.<ref>[https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2022/08/10/pact-act-brings-long-awaited-justice-for-lejeune-victims "PACT Act brings long-awaited justice for Camp Lejeune victims".] ''spectrumlocalnews.com''. Retrieved 2022-08-11.</ref> Until this became law, only exposed veterans had the possibility of compensation (as a VA disability benefit) because the federal courts cut off the right to sue under the Federal Tort Claims Act in MDL-2218.<ref>[https://www.law360.com/articles/1121962/navy-to-deny-all-claims-for-nc-base-water-contamination "Navy To Deny All Claims For NC Base Water Contamination - Law360".] ''www.law360.com''. Retrieved 2022-08-11.</ref><ref>"In Re Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Water Contamination Litigation". ''www.law360.com''. Retrieved 2022-08-11.</ref><ref>[https://www.law360.com/articles/1278566/supreme-court-won-t-hear-camp-lejeune-toxic-water-suits "Supreme Court Won't Hear Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Suits - Law360".] ''www.law360.com''. Retrieved 2022-08-11.</ref><ref>"Circuit Splits: A Hidden Trap In 'Federal Question' MDLs - Law360". ''www.law360.com''. Retrieved 2022-08-11.</ref>

=== Immigration === In July 2015, Cartwright voted against a bill that would have withdrawn funding from municipalities that declined to detain illegal immigrants for ICE.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

In June 2017, Cartwright was one of three Democrats who joined the 228–195 majority voting to cut off some particular federal grants from cities not agreeing to detentions. He voted for "Kate's Law", to increase criminal punishment for illegal immigrant recidivist violent criminals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/340137-house-passes-kates-law-and-crackdown-on-sanctuary-cities/|title=House passes 'Kate's Law' and bill targeting sanctuary cities|first=Cristina|last=Marcos|newspaper=The Hill |date=29 June 2017|accessdate=10 March 2023}}</ref> He co-sponsored legislation to protect the "Dreamers", people who entered the country illegally as children.<ref name="mcall.com" /> When Trump ordered a temporary limit on immigration from certain countries, Cartwright criticized the order.<ref name="mcall.com" />

On May 8, 2024, Cartwright voted against the "Equal Representation Act." This proposed law would have required that when counting the population of each state to determine the number of U.S. Representatives, noncitizens who are ineligible to vote would be excluded from the count.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=2024-05-08 |title=Roll Call 193 Roll Call 193, Bill Number: H. R. 7109, 118th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024193 |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}}</ref>

===Technology=== Cartwright supported net neutrality.<ref name="mcall.com"/>

===Economic issues===

Cartwright criticized the Trump tax cut, saying that it gave taxpayers little relief while adding huge sums to the national debt.<ref name="mcall.com"/>

===Environment===

On February 26, 2014, Cartwright introduced the Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2014 (H.R. 4092; 113th Congress), a bill that would require the United States Department of Energy to establish a centralized clearinghouse to disseminate information on federal programs, incentives, and mechanisms for financing energy-efficient retrofits and upgrades at schools.<ref name=cbo4092>{{cite web|title=CBO - H.R. 4092|date=20 May 2014|url=http://cbo.gov/publication/45388|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=22 June 2014}}</ref><ref name=4092allactions>{{cite web|title=H.R. 4092 - All Actions|url=https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4092/all-actions|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=23 June 2014}}</ref> Cartwright argued that "the bill is a strategic and cost-saving investment to relieve the fiscal pressure felt by schools across the country while bringing us closer to energy security." Cartwright's bill passed unanimously out of the Energy and Commerce Committee on April 30, 2014.<ref name=SBCmagCommVote>{{cite web|title=House Committee Unanimously Approves Energy Efficiency for Schools Act|url=http://www.sbcmag.info/news/2014/may/house-committee-unanimously-approves-energy-efficiency-schools-act|publisher=SBC Magazine|access-date=23 June 2014|date=5 May 2014|archive-date=February 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219094331/http://www.sbcmag.info/news/2014/may/house-committee-unanimously-approves-energy-efficiency-schools-act|url-status=dead}}</ref> It passed the full House of Representatives on June 23, 2014.<ref name=Thomas>{{cite web|title=Thomas, Bill Summary and Status, HR 4092|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d113:HR04092:@@@R|access-date=7 August 2014|archive-date=14 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014124228/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d113:HR04092:@@@R|url-status=dead}}</ref> During his final term in office, Cartwright served as a Vice Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-04 |title=Members {{!}} Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC) |url=https://seec.house.gov/members |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=seec.house.gov |language=en}}</ref>

===Gun policy=== During his first month in office, Cartwright co-sponsored four bills involving gun control.<ref name=guns>{{cite web| last =Itkowitz| first =Colby| title =Rep. Cartwright makes gun control a priority| work =The Morning Call| date =Feb 6, 2013|url=https://www.mcall.com/2013/02/06/rep-cartwright-makes-gun-control-a-priority/}}</ref> He opposes gun-makers' legal immunity after a crime has occurred, and he opposes assault rifle sales.<ref name=guns/>

In 2022, Cartwright voted for H.R. 1808: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/29/politics/house-vote-assault-weapons-ban/index.html | title=House passes assault-style weapons ban | CNN Politics | website=CNN | date=29 July 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/117-2022/h410 | title=H.R. 1808: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 -- House Vote #410 -- Jul 29, 2022 }}</ref>

===LGBT stance=== Cartwright has said, "there's no reason to discriminate against gay people".<ref name="times">{{Cite news |date=February 16, 2013 |title=Cartwright backs gay marriage |work=Times Leader |url=http://www.timesleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?avis=TL&date=20120823&category=news&lopenr=308239574&Ref=AR&print=1 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415173349/http://www.timesleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?avis=TL&date=20120823&category=news&lopenr=308239574&Ref=AR&print=1 |archive-date=April 15, 2014}}</ref> He does not believe religious leaders should be mandated to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies.<ref name=times/>

===Student loans=== In October 2018, Cartwright co-authored a ''Washington Post'' article proposing a pilot program to examine the effectiveness of non-transferable financial incentives such as certain student loan forgiveness being given to increase organ donation.<ref name=kidney>{{cite news| title =Student loan forgiveness and other incentives could save lives. Here's how. | newspaper =Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/student-loan-forgiveness-and-other-incentives-could-save-lives-heres-how/2018/10/25/bd5b6a04-d310-11e8-b2d2-f397227b43f0_story.html}}</ref>

===Transportation=== Cartwright pushed for re-establishing a passenger rail line between Northeastern Pennsylvania and New York City, which was last operated in the early 1970s with Erie Lackawanna Railway's Phoebe Snow Passenger Service. This restoration would use funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the INVEST in America Act.<ref>{{Cite news|last=DuPuis|first=Roger|date=July 4, 2021|title=Cartwright sees hope for Scranton-NYC train through infrastructure bill|work=Times Leader|url=https://www.timesleader.com/news/1500468/cartwright-sees-hope-for-scranton-nyc-train-through-infrastructure-bill|url-status=live|access-date=January 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822233609/https://www.timesleader.com/news/1500468/cartwright-sees-hope-for-scranton-nyc-train-through-infrastructure-bill|archive-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=January 4, 2022|title=Possibly restoring passenger rail service to NEPA from New York|work=WBRE/WYOU|url=https://www.pahomepage.com/news/possibly-restoring-passenger-rail-service-to-nepa-from-new-york/|url-status=live|access-date=January 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108042603/https://www.pahomepage.com/news/possibly-restoring-passenger-rail-service-to-nepa-from-new-york/|archive-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref>

===Marjorie Taylor Greene=== Cartwright cosponsored a resolution to expel Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress, suggesting that she "advocated violence against our peers, the Speaker and our government."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/house-democrat-resolution-expel-marjorie-taylor-greene/ | title=72 House Democrats Support Resolution to Expel GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene | website=CBS News | date=March 19, 2021 }}</ref>

===Eminent domain=== In 2014, Cartwright voted against H.R. 1944: The Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2014,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/113-2014/h67 | title=H.R. 1944 (113th): Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2014 -- House Vote #67 -- Feb 26, 2014 }}</ref> a law that limits the use of eminent domain by state governments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2013 |title=H.R.1944 - Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2014 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/1944 |access-date=December 16, 2022}}</ref>

===COVID-19 policy=== On January 31, 2023, Cartwright voted against H.R.497:Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, a bill which would lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/seven-democrats-join-house-gop-lift-vaccine-mandate-healthcare-work | title=Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers | date=31 January 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/118/house/1/98 | title=On Passage - H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on | date=12 August 2015 }}</ref>

On February 1, 2023, Cartwright voted against a resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3839808-house-gop-passes-bill-to-end-covid-19-national-emergency/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201224133/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3839808-house-gop-passes-bill-to-end-covid-19-national-emergency/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 1, 2023 | title=House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency | newspaper=The Hill | date=February 2023 | last1=Schnell | first1=Mychael }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/118/house/1/104 | title=On Passage - H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by | date=12 August 2015 }}</ref>

===Foreign policy===

====Syria==== In 2013, Cartwright voted in favor of intervention and arming the Syrian Opposition against Bashar al-Assad and ISIS.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/113-2014/h507 | title=H.Amdt. 1141 (McKeon) to H.J.Res. 124: Amendment authorizes the Secretary … -- House Vote #507 -- Sep 17, 2014 }}</ref>

In 2023, Cartwright voted against H.Con.Res. 21 which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.<ref>{{cite web | title=H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023 | website=GovTrack.us | date=8 March 2023 |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h136 | access-date=6 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria | website=US News & World Report | date=8 March 2023 |url=http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria | access-date=6 April 2023}}</ref>

====Trade==== Cartwright voted against H. J. Res 39, which would condemn Biden's lift on tariffs pertaining to solar panels coming from China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 202 |url=https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2023/roll202.xml |access-date=2023-05-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Groom |first1=Nichola |last2=Jackson |first2=Katharine |date=2023-04-28 |title=US House votes to repeal Biden solar tariff waiver |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-house-vote-repeal-biden-solar-policy-2023-04-28/ |access-date=2023-05-03}}</ref>

====Somalia==== In 2023, Cartwright voted against H.Con.Res. 30, which would remove American troops from Somalia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rollcall.com/2023/04/27/house-rejects-gaetz-resolution-to-remove-us-troops-from-somalia/ | title=House rejects Gaetz resolution to remove US troops from Somalia | date=April 27, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h201 | title=H.Con.Res. 30: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #201 -- Apr 27, 2023 }}</ref>

====Ukraine==== Cartwright has said supporting Ukraine during the Russian invasion is a "vital problem for American national security."<ref name=borderua>{{cite news |last1=Buffer |first1=Michael P. |title=Frustrated: Cartwright rips GOP speaker for inaction on border, Ukraine |work=The Citizens' Voice |date=February 21, 2024 |pages=A1, A5}}</ref> In 2023, Cartwright voted against a ban on cluster munitions to Ukraine.<ref>Sfortinsky, Sarah. “Almost 50 Democrats Snub Biden with Vote against Cluster Bombs for Ukraine.” The Hill, 14 July 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4097677-almost-50-democrats-snub-biden-with-vote-against-cluster-bombs-for-ukraine/.</ref><ref>“H.Amdt. 243 (Greene) to H.R. 2670: To Prohibit Cluster Munitions ... -- House Vote #317 -- Jul 13, 2023.” GovTrack.Us, https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h317. Accessed 16 July 2023.</ref>

====Israel==== Cartwright voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Demirjian |first=Karoun |date=2023-10-25 |title=House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/25/us/politics/house-israel-vote.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Washington |first1=U. S. Capitol Room H154 |last2=p:225-7000 |first2=DC 20515-6601 |date=2023-10-25 |title=Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023528 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, Cartwright was one of 16 Democrats in the House of Representatives to vote to undo President Biden's pause on some weapons shipments to Israel amid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |last1=SCHNELL |first1=MYCHAEL |title=These 16 House Democrats bucked Biden, party leadership on Israel bill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/4669370-these-16-house-democrats-bucked-biden-party-leadership-on-israel-bill/ |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=The Hill |date=16 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Liptak |first1=Kevin |title=Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if it launches major invasion of Rafah |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/08/politics/joe-biden-interview-cnntv/index.html |access-date=17 May 2024 |publisher=CNN |date=9 May 2024}}</ref>

==Electoral history==

{{Election box begin no change | title=Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District, 2012}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Matt Cartwright | votes = 161,393 | percentage = 60.31 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Laureen Cummings | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 106,208 | percentage = 39.69 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 267,601 | percentage= 100 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District, 2014}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Matt Cartwright (Incumbent) |votes = 93,680 |percentage = 56.76 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = David Moylan |votes = 71,371 |percentage = 43.24 }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 165,051 |percentage = 100 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District, 2016}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Matt Cartwright (Incumbent) |votes = 157,734 |percentage = 53.80 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Matt Connolly |votes = 135,430 |percentage = 46.20 }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 293,164 |percentage = 100 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District, 2018}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Matt Cartwright (Incumbent) |votes = 134,519 |percentage = 54.65 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = John Chrin |votes = 111,640 |percentage = 45.35 }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 246,159 |percentage = 100 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District, 2020}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Matt Cartwright (Incumbent) |votes = 178,442 |percentage = 51.77 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Jim Bognet |votes = 166,227 |percentage = 48.23 }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 344,669 |percentage = 100 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District, 2022}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Matt Cartwright (incumbent) | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 146,956 | percentage = 51.22 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Jim Bognet | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 139,930 | percentage = 48.78 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 286,886 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change |winner=Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District, 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Tuesday, November 5, 2024 2024 Presidential Election (Official Returns) Statewide |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/General/OfficeResults?officeId=11&ElectionID=105&ElectionType=G&IsActive=1 |website=electionresults.pa.gov |access-date=February 3, 2025}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Rob Bresnahan Jr.|votes=195,663|percentage=50.8}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Cartwright (incumbent)|votes=189,411|percentage=49.2}} {{Election box total no change|votes=385,074|percentage=100.0}} {{Election box gain with party link without swing |winner = Republican Party (United States) |loser = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}

==Personal life== Cartwright married Marion K. Munley on August 10, 1985, in Archbald, Pennsylvania.<ref>{{cite news|last=McGill|first=Andrew|title=Political adwatch: Matt Cartwright's 'Priorities' gives little reason to offend|url=https://www.mcall.com/2012/04/12/political-adwatch-democrat-tim-holdens-first-ad-rings-true/|newspaper=The Morning Call|date=April 12, 2012}}</ref> They live in Moosic, Pennsylvania, with their two sons.<ref name="Times">{{cite news|last=Krawczeniuk|first=Borys|title=Cartwright says he's the real Democrat, not Holden|url=http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/cartwright-says-he-s-the-real-democrat-not-holden-1.1262193|newspaper=The Times-Tribune|date=January 25, 2012}}</ref> Cartwright is Roman Catholic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/PF_2023.01.03_congress_LIST.pdf|title=Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress|date=December 2022|publisher=PEW Research Center|access-date=March 10, 2023}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons}} * [https://cartwright.house.gov/ Congressman Matt Cartwright] official U.S. House website * [https://cartwrightcongress.com/ Matt Cartwright for Congress] {{CongLinks | congbio=C001090 | votesmart=136236 | fec=H2PA17079 | congress=matt-cartwright/2159 }} *{{C-SPAN|79865}}

{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-hs}} {{s-bef|before=Tim Holden}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district|years=2013–2019}} {{s-aft|after=Conor Lamb}} |- {{s-bef|before=Brian Fitzpatrick}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district|years=2019–2025}} {{s-aft|after=Rob Bresnahan}} |- {{s-prec|usa}} {{s-bef|before=Charlie Dent|as=Former U.S. Representative}} {{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States ''{{small|as Former U.S. Representative}}''|years=}} {{s-aft|after=Jim Courter|as=Former U.S. Representative}} {{s-end}}

{{USCongRep-start |congresses=113th–118th United States Congresses |state=Pennsylvania}} {{USCongRep/PA/113}} {{USCongRep/PA/114}} {{USCongRep/PA/115}} {{USCongRep/PA/116}} {{USCongRep/PA/117}} {{USCongRep/PA/118}} {{USCongRep-end}} {{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cartwright, Matt}} Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century United States representatives Category:21st-century Roman Catholics Category:American gun control activists Category:Catholic politicians from Pennsylvania Category:Democratic Party United States representatives from Pennsylvania Category:Hamilton College (New York) alumni Category:Pennsylvania lawyers Category:Politicians from Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania Category:University of Pennsylvania Law School alumni