Wilkes-Barre, PA – At a press conference this morning in Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne County GOP Chair Gene Ziemba, Lackawanna County GOP Chair Dan Naylor, and Luzerne County Councilwoman & GOP Vice Chair Leeann McDermott accused six-term Congressman Matt Cartwright of avoiding accountability by refusing to participate in more than one debate with Rob Bresnahan in the race for Pennsylvania’s 8th District. The Republican leaders stated that Cartwright’s reluctance to engage in additional debates shows a pattern of avoiding tough questions about his record, especially on critical issues such as border security, inflation, and dysfunction in Washington.
Luzerne County GOP Chair Gene Ziemba: “It’s clear that Congressman Cartwright is running from the voters of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This isn’t just about politics, it’s about transparency and accountability. By refusing to engage in more than one debate, he’s denying voters the opportunity to see where he really stands. It raises questions about what he’s trying to hide. Is he avoiding scrutiny on his voting record, or is there something more? Given his age, there’s a question of whether he’s fully up to the challenge. His insistence on waiting until after most mail-in votes are cast is troubling. If he’s not willing to face the voters now, it begs the question, why not?”
Lackawanna County GOP Chair Dan Naylor: “Candidates who are afraid to debate often have something to hide, and in Cartwright’s case, it’s his voting record. His decisions in Washington, especially on border security and economic policies that have fueled inflation, do not align with the interests of the working people in our district. Scheduling a single debate at the end of October, after early voting has started, does a disservice to voters. It seems like he’s trying to run out the clock without being held accountable. We need transparency and leadership. Congressman Cartwright should be willing to defend his record and debate Rob Bresnahan before most people vote. I urge him to reconsider and agree to an additional debate on WBRE/WYOU in late September or early October. Let’s have a real discussion about the issues.”
Luzerne County Councilwoman & GOP Vice Chair Leeann McDermott: “The timing of this single debate is problematic. By then, many voters will have already cast their ballots. Congressman Cartwright is clearly trying to avoid answering for his record on issues like the border crisis and inflation. This isn’t about just one debate; it’s about giving voters a fair chance to hear from both candidates and make an informed decision. If Congressman Cartwright is truly committed to representing the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania, he should welcome the opportunity to debate multiple times. Anything less shows a disregard for the democratic process and the voters he claims to serve.”
BACKGROUND:
On Wednesday, August 21, Congressman Cartwright released a statement agreeing to a single debate over a month after early voting begins, stating that “voters deserve to hear from both candidates” and that he is “ready to go.” However, despite this rhetoric, Cartwright has refused to commit to more than one debate.
In addition to the WVIA debate, the Bresnahan campaign agreed to a debate on WBRE/WYOU in late September or early October. To date, Congressman Cartwright has not agreed to participate.
Since early June, WVIA has been working to coordinate a debate forum between Congressman Cartwright and Rob Bresnahan. The Cartwright campaign has indicated that the only two dates he is available for a debate between now and Election Day are October 22 or October 23.
According to the official House Calendar, Congress is not in session for 17 days in September and the entire month of October. Despite this ample availability, Congressman Cartwright has declined to agree to additional debates. As reported by The Times Leader, “The Cartwright campaign did not respond when asked if they would agree to more than one debate, stating they needed more information.”
The race for Pennsylvania’s 8th District is expected to be one of the seats most likely to flip in November. According to Decision Desk HQ, Bresnahan has a 61% chance of defeating six-term Congressman Matt Cartwright. The non-partisan Cook Political Report rates PA-08 as a toss-up.
Learn more at www.RobForPA.com
