Two candidates are on Tuesday’s general election ballot seeking to represent the 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Incumbent Matt Cartwright, a Democrat, will be challenged by Rob Bresnahan, a Republican.

District 8 encompasses all of Wayne, Pike and Lackawanna counties, along with portions of Luzerne and Monroe counties.

The Times News asked each candidate the same set of questions. Their answers are printed below.

Matt Cartwright

Party: Democrat

Hometown: Moosic

Background: Matt Cartwright has spent his career sticking up for working people, first as a trial attorney and now as the congressman in Pennsylvania’s 8th District. Since taking office in 2013, he has introduced more bills with Democratic and Republican support than any other House Democrat since he was first elected, funding state and local law enforcement, prosecuting violence against women and benefits for seniors on Medicare.

1. What is the biggest issue facing your district and how would you plan to address it?

The people of this district are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of necessities like groceries and gas while big corporations make record profits. I am leading the fight against the greedy special interests making a fortune off the backs of working people. I voted to allow the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on oil companies that gouge consumers and I helped enact legislation to lower prescription drug costs for seniors. But Pennsylvanians need relief now. That’s why I support eliminating junk fees, cutting taxes for working people, and asking the wealthy to pay their fair share.

2. How would you address the economic challenges currently facing the district, including job growth, inflation, and small business support?

Bad trade deals and greedy corporations have shipped good-paying manufacturing jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania overseas to countries like China. In Congress, I am working to restore our manufacturing industries and strengthen our supply chains to help bring jobs back and keep costs down. I was proud to help pass the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Now, I am backing the MADE in America Act, to incentivize domestic manufacturing of drugs and other medical supplies so we can create jobs here and make the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain less dependent on China and other foreign adversaries.

3. What is the biggest threat to national security and how can Congress address it?

The current situation at our border is unacceptable and the biggest threat to our national security. In Congress, I have stood up to my own party to pass over $1 billion in funding for the border wall as well as voted against sanctuary cities and to deport immigrants who commit crimes. But that’s not enough. Both parties must come together to pass border security and fix our broken immigration system. That’s why I supported Sen. Lankford’s bipartisan border deal to reform the asylum process, fund more border agents and combat drug trafficking.

4. How would you address the rising costs of health care and ensure access to quality, affordable health care for all residents in the district?

I was proud to stand up to Big Pharma and pass the Inflation Reduction Act, bringing down health care costs for our seniors by finally allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug companies, capping insulin at $35 a month for seniors and capping out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D recipients. Now, I’m working to get health care costs down for others. I have co-sponsored bills to cap the cost of insulin for everyone and to shore up our medical supply chain. I also support codifying the Roe decision to restore women’s reproductive health care rights and get politicians out of the doctor’s office.

5. How can the voters of the your district benefit most by electing you in November?

This November, voters face an important choice about who can best tackle costs, protect their rights and secure our border. I have been ranked one of the most bipartisan and effective members of Congress and have a proven record on these issues. I helped pass legislation to lower drug costs, deploy more border agents and bring home manufacturing jobs. I am the only candidate in this race endorsed by the National Committee to Protect Social Security and Medicare, the only candidate who will fight for reproductive rights, and the only candidate who will stand up to the rich and powerful.

Rob Bresnahan

Party: Republican

Hometown: Dallas Township

Background: Rob Bresnahan learned business by sweeping floors, wiring junction boxes, driving trucks, and running heavy equipment with his grandfather Walt Kuharchik, an electrical contractor from Exeter. He took over as CEO, then founded RPB Ventures to rehabilitate historic buildings in Downtown Pittston. An accomplished businessman, former chairman of the Joint Apprentice Training Committee and trustee for the Health Wellness and Annuity for IBEW 163, he is dedicated to facing challenges and solving problems.

1. What is the biggest issue facing your district and how would you plan to address it?

The biggest issue facing Northeastern Pennsylvania is illegal immigration, which impacts local resources and public safety. Our open border has allowed violent criminals and drug traffickers into our communities, straining local law enforcement and resources. I’ll work to secure our border by ending “catch and release” policies, expanding Border Patrol and prohibiting taxpayer funds from relocating illegal immigrants into communities like we saw in Scranton. My opponent, Congressman Cartwright, voted against President Trump’s border wall seven different times. I am committed to prioritizing the safety and well-being of our district by restoring law and order at the border.

2. How would you address the economic challenges currently facing the district, including job growth, inflation, and small business support?

Our district needs relief from rising costs and stagnant job growth. I’ll fight to reduce inflation by cutting wasteful spending and rolling back the red tape that burdens small businesses. I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy to lower energy costs and create jobs in critical industries like natural gas. I’ll work to bring back manufacturing jobs and prioritize infrastructure projects right here at home. Congressman Cartwright’s support of inflationary policies has hurt our economy — I’ll put Northeastern Pennsylvanians first by fostering job growth and supporting small businesses.

3. What is the biggest threat to national security and how can Congress address it?

The biggest threat to our national security is the border crisis, which has allowed millions of undocumented immigrants and dangerous criminals to enter the country. Congress must secure the border by resuming wall construction, increasing Border Patrol agents, and implementing technology to monitor both our southern and northern borders. I fully support the Secure the Border Act to address these issues, but unfortunately, my opponent, Congressman Cartwright, opposed this solution. By securing the border, we can protect our communities from criminal activity and ensure a safer America.

5. How can the voters of the your district benefit most by electing you in November?

I believe the most important way I can benefit the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania is by putting our community above party loyalty. My opponent, Congressman Cartwright, has voted with the Biden-Harris administration nearly 100% of the time. If I am elected, it won’t matter if there’s an “R” or a “D” next to my name — the only letters that will matter are N-E-P-A. I will work tirelessly to put our community first, focusing on policies that strengthen our economy, reduce crime and protect our values.