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Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District elections, 2014

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Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District
General Election Date
November 4, 2014
Primary Date
May 20, 2014
November 4 Election Winner:
Matt Cartwright Democratic Party
Incumbent prior to election:
Matt Cartwright Democratic Party
Cartwright.jpg
Race Ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic[1]

Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe D[2]

Pennsylvania U.S. House Elections
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2014 U.S. Senate Elections
2014 U.S. House Elections
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The 17th Congressional District of Pennsylvania held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Matt Cartwright, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, defeated Republican challenger David Moylan in the general election. Moylan defeated Matt Connolly and Matt Dietz in the Republican primary. The race was rated a "Safe Democrat" contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.[3]

Candidate Filing Deadline Primary Election General Election
March 11, 2014
May 20, 2014
November 4, 2014

Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Pennsylvania utilizes a closed primary process. Voters are required to register with a political party to vote in the primary election.[4][5]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Voter registration: To vote in the primary, voters had to register by April 20, 2014. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 6, 2014 (at least 30 days prior to election).[6]

See also: Pennsylvania elections, 2014

Incumbent: Heading into the election the incumbent was Matt Cartwright (D), who was first elected in 2012.

Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District is located in the eastern region of Pennsylvania and includes Schuylkill County and portions of Carbon, Monroe, Luzerne, Lackawanna and Northampton counties.[7]

Candidates

General election candidates


May 20, 2014, primary results

Democratic Party Democratic Primary

Republican Party Republican Primary


Election results

General election

U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 17 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMatt Cartwright Incumbent 56.8% 93,680
     Republican David Moylan 43.2% 71,371
Total Votes 165,051
Source: Pennsylvania Secretary of State

Republican primary

U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 17 Republican Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Moylan 44.7% 9,209
Matt Connolly 33.8% 6,949
Matt Dietz 21.5% 4,430
Total Votes 20,588
Source: Results via Associated Press

Campaign themes

Matt Cartwright

Cartwright's campaign website listed the following issues:[10]

  • Equality
Excerpt: "Matt Cartwright believes in protecting the civil rights of American citizens, including their right to privacy, their right to engage in collective bargaining, their right to vote in elections without new and burdensome requirements, and their right to live in a country that has no tolerance for crimes of hate. "
  • Defense
Excerpt: "Matt Cartwright will fight to ensure that the United States maintains the strongest armed forces in the world and that American troops overseas have every available item to carry out their mission."
  • Infrastructure
Excerpt: "Cartwright believes that the federal government needs to invest in American infrastructure. He believes that investing in one-off, earmarked pork projects is the wrong approach."
  • Economy
Excerpt: "As he has long said, Congressman Cartwright’s number one priority is to bring good-paying, family-sustaining jobs to Northeastern Pennsylvania. While the people of the 17th Congressional District of Pennsylvania are known for valuing hard work, the recent recession has created a lasting impact."
  • Environment
Excerpt: "Congressman Cartwright is fighting for an “all-of-the-above” approach to investing in American energy. He believes in utilizing domestic resources in an environmentally responsible manner, finding newer, better uses for older forms of energy production, and investing in sustainable clean energy technologies to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions."
  • Health Care
Excerpt: "Matt would have supported President Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. He remains dissatisfied, however, that it did not go far enough to expand health care coverage for more Americans and hold insurance companies more accountable for what they charge families. "

David Moylan

Moylan's campaign website listed the following issues:[11]

  • Obamacare
Excerpt: "Obamacare is crushing the quality and affordability of health care, especially for seniors."
  • The Economy
Excerpt: "We must fully tap into our rich abundance of coal, oil and natural gas, including the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which will not only break our dependence on foreign energy but also create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs."
  • The National Debt
Excerpt: "Congress must pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, with a clause allowing for deficits only during time of national emergency."
  • Congress
Excerpt: "A recent survey found that Congress is less popular than lice and colonoscopies – and for good reason. They get paid $175,000 a year to do not much more than bicker, posture, and ultimately, serve special interests. Aside from being rife with scandal, Congress hasn’t even passed a budget in four years! Washington cannot fix our problems unless we fix Washington’s problems."

Key votes

Below are important votes that Cartwright cast during the 113th Congress.

National security

DHS Appropriations

Nay3.png Cartwright voted against HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[12]

Keystone Pipeline Amendment

Yea3.png Cartwright voted in favor of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[12]

CISPA (2013)

Nay3.png Cartwright voted against HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[13] The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[12]

NDAA

Yea3.png Cartwright voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[12]

Economy

Farm bill

Nay3.png On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, known as the Farm Bill.[14] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill provides for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.[15][16] However, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[16] Cartwright voted with 102 other Democratic representatives against the bill.

2014 Budget

Yea3.png On January 15, 2014, the Republican-run House approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[17][18] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582 page bill, with 64 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the bill.[18] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[19] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and the protection of the Affordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Cartwright joined with the majority of the Democratic party and voted in favor of the bill.[17][18]

Government shutdown

See also: United States budget debate, 2013

Nay3.png On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[20] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[21] Cartwright voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[22]

Yea3.png The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[23] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Cartwright voted for HR 2775.[24]

Immigration

Morton Memos Prohibition

Nay3.png Cartwright voted against House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status. The vote largely followed party lines.[12]

Healthcare

Health Care Reform Rules

Nay3.png Cartwright voted against House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[12]

Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act

Nay3.png Cartwright voted against HR 2009 - Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013. The bill passed through the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 232-185. The bill would prevent the IRS and Treasury Secretary from enforcing the powers provided to them in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The vote largely followed party lines.[12]

Campaign contributions

Matt Cartwright

Candidates for Congress were required to file reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Matt Cartwright's reports.[25]

David Moylan

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Moylan's reports.[31]

David Moylan (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
April Quarterly[32]April 15, 2014$1,973.43$6,250.00$(7,304.37)$919.06
Running totals
$6,250$(7,304.37)

Matt Dietz

District history

Candidate ballot access
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Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

2012

The 17th Congressional District of Pennsylvania held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Democrat Matt Cartwright won the election in the district.[37]

U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 17 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMatt Cartwright 60.3% 161,393
     Republican Laureen Cummings 39.7% 106,208
Total Votes 267,601
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010

On November 2, 2010, Tim Holden won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Dave Argall (R) in the general election.[38]

U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 17 General Election, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngTim Holden incumbent 55.5% 118,486
     Republican Dave Argall 44.5% 95,000
Total Votes 213,486

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2014 HOUSE RACE RATINGS FOR AUGUST 8, 2014," accessed August 21, 2014
  2. ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2014 House Races," accessed August 21, 2014
  3. ↑ Roll Call, "2014 Election Race Ratings," accessed September 17, 2014
  4. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures Website, "State Primary Election Types," accessed September 24, 2024
  5. ↑ Casetext, "25 Pa. Stat. § 299," accessed September 24, 2024
  6. ↑ Votes PA, "How to Register," accessed January 3, 2014
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania Redistricting Map "Map" accessed July 30, 2012
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Associated Press, "Pennsylvania - Summary Vote Results," May 20, 2014
  9. ↑ PoliticsPA, "5/17 Morning Buzz," May 17, 2013
  10. ↑ Campaign website, "Issues," accessed March 19, 2014
  11. ↑ Campaign website, "Issues," accessed March 19, 2014
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 Project Vote Smart, "Matt Cartwright Key Votes," accessed October 16, 2013
  13. ↑ The Library of Congress, "Bill Summary & Status - 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - H.R.624," accessed August 27, 2013
  14. ↑ Clerk of U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 31: H.R. 2642," accessed February 12, 2014
  15. ↑ Politico, "House clears Farm Bill," accessed February 12, 2014
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 New York Times, "Senate passes long-stalled Farm Bill, with clear winners and losers," accessed February 12, 2014
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 CNN.com, "House passes compromise $1.1 trillion budget for 2014," accessed January 20, 2014
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 21," accessed January 20, 2014
  19. ↑ Roll Call, "Omnibus Sails Through the Senate," January 16, 2014
  20. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  21. ↑ Buzzfeed, "Government Shutdown: How We Got Here," accessed October 1, 2013
  22. ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
  23. ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
  24. ↑ U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
  25. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Matt Cartwright 2014 Summary reports," accessed October 28, 2013
  26. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed July 22, 2013
  27. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Matt Cartwright July Quarterly," accessed July 22, 2013
  28. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed October 28, 2013
  29. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Cartwright Year-End," accessed February 5, 2014
  30. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 21, 2014
  31. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Moylan 2014 Summary reports," accessed April 23, 2014
  32. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 23, 2014
  33. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly," accessed November 12, 2013
  34. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed November 12, 2013
  35. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Year-End," accessed February 12, 2014
  36. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 23, 2014
  37. ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Pennsylvania"
  38. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
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Pennsylvania's current delegation to the United States Congress
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