Skip to content

Pennsylvania: Matt Cartwright Misses Call From Vice President Joseph Biden

Attorney Matt Cartwright received congratulatory calls from top Democrats after Tuesday's primary. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Attorney Matt Cartwright received congratulatory calls from top Democrats after Tuesday's primary. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

It’s the one call that attorney Matt Cartwright, the Democratic nominee in Pennsylvania’s 17th district as of this week, wished his cell phone would have picked up. Instead, Vice President Joseph Biden had to leave his fellow Scrantonian a voice mail Wednesday.

“He’s a very friendly guy and nice enough to call me yesterday, and the stupid phone didn’t ring,” Cartwright told Roll Call.

Cartwright defeated Rep. Tim Holden (D-Pa.) by a 14-point margin in Tuesday’s primary, coming from behind to defeat the 10-term Blue Dog. Now he’ s heavily favored to be the next Member of Congress from the 17th district, which was reconfigured in redistricting to be a safe Democratic seat.

Biden wasn’t the only one to congratulate Cartwright, a political newcomer. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called to wish him well, and Pennsylvania Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D) texted Cartwright a similar sentiment.

Holden called him, too, to offer his support as Cartwright put the finishing touches on his victory speech in his hotel room Tuesday night.

“Tim Holden called me, and he was very gracious,” Cartwright said. “He said he would support me, and again, that was a very gracious thing to do.”

Recent Stories

Hillraisers and Spam dunks — Congressional Hits and Misses

Federal court dismisses challenge to TikTok ban

Photos of the week ending December 6, 2024

Trump publicly backs embattled DOD pick

Rep. Suzan DelBene will continue as DCCC chair for 2026

Seniority shake-up? House Democrats test committee norms