In a stunning upset in the 17th Congressional District, Lackawanna County attorney Matthew Cartwright upset incumbent Democratic Congressman Tim Holden Tuesday night in the Pennsylvania primary election.
Cartwright told supporters that Representative Holden called him and graciously conceded the race. He went on to thank his supporters for all their hard work.
"Thank you, to all of you here for all you've done to make this possible, for all of the days and evenings you've been out in the cold and the rain circulating petitions and canvassing stores and I see some of you are still damp from that effort, talking to friends and neighbors and strangers, and because of that, because of all of that, we have reason to celebrate here tonight," Cartwright told the crowd.
Holden of St. Clair in Schuylkill County was running for his 11th term.
"Tonight is Matt Cartwright's. He has won a hard-fought election and he deserves our support. He deserves our commitment. So I ask all of you tonight, as we move toward the general election, to throw our support behind Matt Cartwright," Holden said.
He thanked his supporters and told the crowd it has been an honor and a privilege to serve in Congress.