WVIA Election 2024 Liveblog
Follow along with WVIA News today for the most up-to-date Election Coverage. The News Team is checking in at voting precincts, talking to voters and covering any issues in the region with election updates at wvia.org throughout the day, ending with the most complete results in the top-contested races.
Bresnahan takes lead against Cartwright, Wild trails Mackenzie in Lehigh Valley congressional race
Republican challenger Rob Bresnahan has grabbed a 4,000-vote lead against Democratic U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright in their 8th Congressional District contest, according to unofficial results.
With 21 precincts from Luzerne County and two from Monroe County still uncounted, Bresnahan had 180,999 votes to Cartwright’s 176,899.
Cartwright was winning Monroe County, but Bresnahan had an 8,000 vote lead in Luzerne.
In the 7th Congressional District, a Lehigh Valley, seat, incumbent Democratic Rep. Susan Wild was trailing Republican state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.
Mackenzie had 173,000 to Wild’s 164,450.
The Pennsylvania races for president and U.S. Senate remain too close to call at this hour, but Republicans lead in both.
Former President Donald Trump leads 2,640,887 to Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2,482,373.
Republican Dave McCormick leads three-term incumbent Sen. Bob Casey 2,528,482 to 2,458,034.
Cartwright, gathered to celebrate at the Waldorf Social Club in Scranton, left there before the final count was in.
Casey left the Scranton Cultural Center before the final tally, too.
Casey, down to Republican challenger, has left the building
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, down by more than 70,000 votes as of 11:30 p.m., has left his election night party.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti announced at about 11:40 p.m. that the campaign was confident that after all votes are counted, the senator will win his fourth term in office. She told the media and others who were left to go home.
By 11 p.m., most of his supporters had left the party at the Scranton Cultural Center.
The supporters had started the night hopeful for a victory for both Casey and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Meanwhile, in Western Pennsylvania, the party for Republican challenger Dave McCormick is “festive,” according to WESA.
Prior to Election Day, all but one poll showed Casey had a lead or was tied against McCormick. Since late September, Casey’s lead had sharply narrowed. Casey, seeking his fourth term, had never faced such a tight Senate race.
Mackenzie takes the lead against Wild in 7th Congressional District race, Cartwright still leads Bresnahan
An upset may be brewing in the 7th Congressional District in the Lehigh Valley.
Republican state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie has taken a solid lead against Democratic Rep. Susan Wild, 134,433 votes to Wild's 123,322.
In the 8th Congressional District race, Democratic U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright is maintaining his lead over Republican challenger Rob Bresnahan. Cartwright has 155,631 to Bresnahan’s 144,154.
Former President Donald Trump has moved ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris in the Pennsylvania presidential race, but with large numbers of votes in the state's largest counties still uncounted.
Trump has 1,796,331 votes to Harris' 1,724,933.
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican challenger Dave McCormick has taken the lead against U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, 1,719,909 to 1,710,758.
In the 9th Congressional District race, Republican Rep. Dan Meuser is dominating early voting against Democratic challenger Amanda Waldman, whom he easily defeated two years ago.
In the 15th Congressional District race, longtime Republican Rep. Glenn Thompson is far ahead of Democratic challenger Zach Womer.
In the hot Luzerne County state House races, 118th district incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Haddock has declared victory against Republican challenger McKayla Kathio. He leads 18,206 to 14,198.
In the 120th House District race, retiring Rep. Aaron Kaufer’s seat, Republican Brenda Pugh has declared victory against Democratic candidate Fern Leard 15,262 to 11,654.
Cartwright takes lead against Bresnahan in 8th Congressional race
Democratic U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright had 106,069 votes to Bresnahan’s 82,708.
In the 7th Congressional District race, Democratic Rep. Susan Wild led Republican state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie by 51,272 to 43,862.
In the 9th Congressional District race, Republican Rep. Dan Meuser is dominating early voting against Democratic challenger Amanda Waldman, whom he easily defeated two years ago.
In the 15th Congressional District race, longtime Republican Rep. Glenn Thompson is far ahead of Democratic challenger Zach Womer.
In the hot Luzerne County state House races, 118th district incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Haddock was way ahead of Republican challenger McKayla Kathio, 11,032 to 7,362 votes.
In the 120th House District race, retiring Rep. Aaron Kaufer’s seat, Republican Brenda Pugh leads Democratic candidate Fern Leard 8,052 to 8,026.
Newcomer to Pennsylvania House ready for returns -- WVIA Reporters out in the field
Political newcomer McKayla Kathio faces first-term incumbent Jim Haddock for the 118th District state house seat.
Kathio, a 23-year-old Republican from Jenkins Township, came into Pittston’s Tomato Bar & Bistro at 8:28 p.m. for her election returns party. The candidate was greeted by a roar of cheers and a standing ovation from the crowd.
Supporter Traci Dale said she has been canvassing for Kathio since 6 a.m. She’s frightened of a potential second term with Vice President Kamala Harris in power. She said America needs true female leaders at both the national and local level.
"She's gonna vote with what's right for us. You know, we're gonna close these borders, like we have to close these borders…We have to keep these boys out of women's locker rooms,” said Dale, wagging her finger to show her disdain. "This is not nice. Do you want your daughter to have a boy going in [her] locker room? Nobody does. No one does. And [Kathio’s] got..my vote, and she had a lot of other votes.”
WVIA Reporters are on scene to cover the following races:
- United States Senate: Incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Democrat, and Republican Dave McCormick.
- The 8th Congressional District, which covers Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties: incumbent U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, Democratic, and Rob Bresnahan, Republican.
- Pennsylvania House District 118, which covers parts of Luzerne and Lackawanna counties: incumbent State Rep. Jim Haddock, Democratic, and McKayla Kathio, Republican.
- Pennsylvania House District 120, which covers Luzerne County: Brenda Pugh, Republican, and Fern Leard, Democratic.
- Pennsylvania House District 121, which covers Luzerne: incumbent Eddie Day Pashinski, Democratic, and Dino Disler, Republican.
The wait is over: Pennsylvania polls closed and the counting begins
Pennsylvania’s in-person polling places are now closed.
Counties should begin shortly posting early returns based on mail-in ballots.
The early totals are likely to favor Democratic candidates because Democratic voters vote by mail-in ballots in larger numbers than Republican voters.
Overall, more than 2.2 million Pennsylvanians applied for mail-in ballots, almost a quarter of the more than 9.17 million registered voters. By 2 p.m. Tuesday, county elections offices had received more than 1.89 million, or about 86% of the ballots requested. Mail-in ballots had to be in the hands of county election offices by 8 p.m. or they will not count.
Polls in some precincts statewide, including Laflin in Luzerne County, are scheduled to stay open later than 8 p.m. because of voting machine or other problems earlier. A county judge ordered the Laflin precinct to remain open until 9:30 p.m.
In Lackawanna County, officials said they expected to wrap up counting between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
The county had to move the voting for its eight precincts inside Scranton High School from the gymnasium to the cafeteria Monday, but that caused no problems, county spokesman Patrick McKenna said.
Otherwise, the county reported normal glitches.
“I think in Benton Township, there was one person who was asked to leave, but he left. So, there was no dispute. I don't know that was, that was early this morning, and it was quickly resolved,” McKenna said.
Larger counties like Philadelphia and Allegheny are expected to take well into the night.
Voters chose among candidates for president, U.S. senator, state attorney general, state auditor general, state treasurer and state representative and senator.
Besides the statewide races, WVIA is tracking contested races for the state General Assembly and Congress in northeast and north-central Pennsylvania.
They include:
House District 76 (Clinton/Union)
--Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, Republican
--Denise Maris, Democratic
House District 85 (Union, Snyder, Mifflin and Juniata)
--Rep. David Rowe, Republican
--Nicholas Jacobson, Democratic
House District 109 (Columbia)
--Rep. Robert Leadbeter III, Republican
--Nicholas McGaw, Democratic
House District 115 (Monroe)
—Rep. Maureen Madden, Democratic
—Matthew Long, Republican
House District 116 (Luzerne/Schuylkill)
—Rep. Dane Watro Jr., Republican
—Deborah Adoff, Democratic
House District 118 (Luzerne/Lackwanna)
—Rep. Jim Haddock, Democratic
—McKayla Kathio, Republican
House District 119 (Luzerne)
—Rep. Alec Ryncavage, Republican
—Megan Kocher, Democratic
House District 120 (Luzerne)
--Brenda Pugh, Republican
--Fern Leard, Democratic
House District 121 (Luzerne)
—Dino Disler, Republican
—Eddie Day Pashinski, Democratic
House District 123 (Schuylkill)
—Rep. Tim Twardzik, Republican
-–Michael Zvalaren, Democratic
House District 124 (Schuylkill)
—Rep. Jamie Barton, Republican
—Tina Burns, Democratic
House District 139 (Wayne/Pike)
--Jeffrey Olsommer, Republican
--Robin Schooley Skibber, Democratic
House District 176 (Monroe)
—Rep. Jack Rader Jr., Republican
—Hope Christman, Democratic
House District 189 (Monroe)
—Rep. Tarah Probst, Democratic
—Lisa VanWhy, Republican
Senate District 23
--Sen. Gene Yaw, Republican
--Kim Pitcher, Democratic
Senate District 27
—Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, Republican
—Patricia Lawton, Democratic
Senate District 29
—Sen. David Argall, Republican
—John Zugarek, Democratic
Congress:
7th District (Monroe/Northampton/Lehigh)
--State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, Republican
--U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, Democratic
8th District (Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe/Pike/Wayne)
—U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, Democratic
—Rob Bresnahan, Republican
9th District (Berks/Bradford/Columbia/Lebanon/Luzerne/ Lycoming/Montour/Northumberland/Schuylkill/Sullivan/Susquehanna/Wyoming)
—U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, Republican
—Amanda Waldman, Democratic
15th District (Armstrong/Cameron/Centre/Clarion/Clearfield/Clinton/Elk/Forest/Indiana/Jefferson/Lycoming/McKean/Potter/Snyder/Tioga/Union/Venango/Warren)
—U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, Republican
—Zacheray Womer, Democratic
Lunch and dinner ready for voters & steady lines in Wyoming County
For 70 years the Lake Winola United Methodist Church has sold lunch and dinner to local residents casting their votes.
The church on Maple Drive is a polling place for Falls and Overfield Township.
“It comes into the community mindset," said John Sankey. "They have to vote. We want them to vote.”
The church is mission-driven and supports many area social service agencies as well as provides their own food and clothing pantry. The church’s women’s group originally started the fundraiser but with numbers dwindling, the men, like Sankey and Gene Dzlak have stepped in.
"We'll have a gang of guys here, probably within the next two hours, it'll be a whole bunch,” said Dzlak.
The Election Day lunch and dinners help the church pay salaries to keep that community focus.
For lunch, they served homemade soup, hot dogs with different toppings, homemade macaroni and cheese and wimpies.
Arlene Fritz, chair of the election day meals, said lunch was slower than usual. She wondered if people were outside enjoying the warm and sunny November day.
The dinner menu includes turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce and red beans.
Their famous homemade pies are also available throughout the day.
Before COVID hit, the church would sell around 150 dinners. The numbers dwindled during the pandemic but are back on the rise. They took advance orders and today planned for around 80 dinners. But by 2 p.m., they were expecting to serve around 100 meals.
“The presidential is always busier," said Fritz.
Up the road, at the Tunkhannock Township Municipal Building a steady line of voters waited to cast ballots.
Shane Powers, president & CEO of NeighborWorks NEPA, cast her ballot in Wyoming County before 1 p.m.
“I would say that really ensuring that we have a leader that understands the diverse needs of our communities is really important to me,” she said.
She wants a president that she can trust to make good decisions.
“And really take a holistic approach to listening to residents and really understanding the needs of a community, to really build up our communities, to ensure that we are stronger as a community.”
Misspelled mail-in ballots mixed into pre-canvass in Luzerne County
A spelling error on some mail-in ballots is delaying processing in Luzerne County.
County Manager Romilda Crocamo said a staff member “inadvertently” included mail-in ballots that had incumbent state Rep. Alec Ryncavage’s name misspelled with the correct, replacement ballots that were issued last month.
“We are working with the Board of Elections and the Department of State to mitigate the issue,” she said in an email to WVIA News. “The candidates have been notified.”
Approximately 6,700 mail-in ballots had to be re-issued in Luzerne County last month after Ryncavage was misspelled.
The erroneous ballots listed the 119th district incumbent's name as “Alec J. Tyncavage.”
Crocamo could not say how many ballots were impacted on Tuesday. She confirmed as of 7 p.m. the bureau will continue pre-canvassing mail-in ballots and will separate “Ryncavage” ballots from “Tyncavage” ballots.
The county will await guidance from the state on how to handle the misspelled ballots they received, Crocamo confirmed.
First elected to the post in 2022, Republican Ryncavage is facing a challenge from Democrat Megan Kocher. Both are from Plymouth.
—
UPDATE: As of 9:30 p.m., Crocamo did not have any further updates on the mail-in ballots.
DJ beats greet voters in Wilkes-Barre
A DJ greeted voters at St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.
Vengelo Hardmon traveled from Brooklyn, New York for DJs at the Polls. He was spinning as soon as polls opened, entertaining a long line early in the morning.
“Earlier in the morning I feel like is when all the Wilkes-Barre people were voting,” he said while getting some shade during a midday lull.
There was no line around noon at the church. Voters walked into the basement and voted within minutes.
That was surprising for Wayne Whitaker — he was worried he’d have to wait in a long line to vote.
“Everything was in order,” he said, already wearing his ‘I Voted’ sticker. “We were in and out of there.”
Whitaker said he relied on his Christian faith to help him decide who to vote for.
“There's so many things that are going on,” he said. “Who’s going to serve us the most, who’s going to be the best for us?”
Patricia Falkowski had a few issues in mind as she cast her vote.
“Top concern is immigration. Well, no, the top concern really is the cost of food and then immigration,” she said. “Because I'm a senior citizen and I’m on a fixed income.”
She said those issues influenced her vote “100 percent.”
At Biden neighborhood precinct, Scranton voters weigh in on motivating election issues
At Robert Morris Elementary School, the precinct for the Scranton neighborhood where President Joe Biden lived as a child, Danielle McGruder said she voted straight Democratic.
McGruder, 37, an account manager for a tech company that supports nonprofits, said she’s worried about adding any more conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. McGruder wants to ensure “that women across the nation have access to proper health care without the government being involved.”
“Every woman gets to have her own decision made, and that's how I voted," McGruder said. “The other half of it is, I just want to get back to what I would consider normal government, public service focus, taking care of the people.”
McGruder said she thought Biden did a good job as president, citing his investment in roads, bridges and other infrastructure that created jobs.
“I was very happy when he said, ‘I'll step aside,’” McGruder said. “I wish he made that decision a little bit earlier. But … choosing to be a one-term president, I think is appropriate for him, and I think that's a service for the country for that choice.”
Maria Manzano, 88, shared McGruder’s feelings on women’s rights.
“I'm an admirer of … Gloria Steinem,” Manzano said. “Democracy, I like people who respect the Constitution and other people's rights. “This election reminds me a little bit when Barry Goldwater and Lyndon Johnson were running.”
That refers to the 1964 presidential election between U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, the conservative Arizona Republican, and President Lyndon Johnson, the Democratic nominee from Texas.
“I didn't vote for Johnson. I voted against Goldwater. And I feel the same way in this election, it isn't who I voted for, it's who I voted against,” she said, declining to name her choices.
McKenna Huyser, a 21-year-old Marywood University nursing student, voted in her first presidential election. She voted straight Democratic based on "morality."
“As a young woman, being raised by a woman who cares about things like that, I think it's really important to vote for the best interest of everybody, and not just for yourself,” Huyser said. “I just think it's really important to vote for safety, for gun control, for women's rights in health care, for just like the protection of all of our people in our country. So that's the most important thing for me.”
The guys voted differently for different reasons.
Bill Heffernan, 77, a retired registered nurse who moved to Scranton from New Jersey, voted straight Republican. He fears higher taxes. He heard Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ plan to expand the number of affordable homes.
“They say we're going to build 3 million houses,” Heffernan said. “Who's we? I'm we, you’re we … I don't want to hear that. I thought we were doing okay with with Mr. Trump last time until the pandemic came along, and then the bottom fell out.”
Heffernan also cited inflation.
“You pull in to get gas, and you're giving your mortgage payment,” he said.
Jonathan Fenton, 36, a delivery driver, said he voted based on the struggling economy, the leaky southern border and the rights of free speech and to own a gun.
“Things are too expensive,” Fenton said. “We have people talking about hate speech and things that violate the First Amendment of the Constitution and banning things like assault rifles.”
Hazleton voters demand change for the economy, abortion and immigration policies
For Andy Genao, Election Day is the most important day of the year.
The 48-year-old Dominican has lived in Hazleton for around 18 years. Standing outside of Hazleton City Hall, Genao’s proud to cast his vote.
“It's more than a right. It's a privilege to be able to vote. Tons of other places don't allow people to vote,” said Genao. “[People] can express their opinion. There's time to do it. You got to take advantage.
He said Hazleton needs leaders who will crack down grocery prices and “social wokeness.”
Abortion is another issue driving him to the polls. But Genao’s also concerned with how both major political parties “play on identity politics” to garner minority or single-issue groups votes. People assume he will vote a particular way because he’s Latino, he said.
“The assumption is ridiculous,” said Genao, who added that social media allows people, especially Latinos, to break through identity politics. “People are waking up…with social media now being [where] most people consume the news. It's not your traditional media, and stories are more elaborate…I think people are going to become more apt to that and cast their votes more in line with their values and how they actually feel.”
Maureen Moser, 76, said voters need to vote not just by their own morals, but by the Bible.
“It's all in God's hands. Absolutely, it's in God's hands. And at the end of the day, you have to live with what you get and move forward, and he'll carry us through either way,” said Moser.
God was on many voters' minds as they cast their ballots at Our Lady of Grace Church. Posters of mostly Republican candidates lined a fence outside of Madonna Hall.
Ann Marie Kaschak, a poll watcher for 116 House District Republican Dane Watro, said she was guided by her Catholic faith to vote for leaders who would pass strict abortion policies. The 116th District covers part of Luzerne and Schuylkill counties. Watro, the incumbent, faces newcomer Deborah Adoff.
Kaschak said she’s working the polls to make sure everyone is allowed to vote. She said several people across the county received their mail-in ballots on Saturday, making it difficult for them to vote by mail.
“I'm here because the country needs a change. You can't go to the grocery store as a woman, I'm afraid to walk the streets in Hazleton. We need a big change with immigration, with prices,” said Kaschak.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, she said she faces insurmountable inflation and grocery store prices. She believes Republican leadership will also crack down on illegal immigration, which she says raises Hazleton’s crime rates, a majority Latino city.
“I'm 66 years old. I'm still working full time. I used to maybe spend, you know, $40 bucks on a couple grocery bags. Now, it's like $80. It's getting crazy. Gas is insane. We need something to happen to get the prices down,” said Kaschak. “And as for illegal immigration, I'm all for people coming into the country, but you got to do it legally.”
Casey casts ballot in Scranton, tells crowd he hopes for record turnout
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said he hopes for record voter turnout before casting his own ballot at Scranton High School Tuesday morning.
Supporters of the Scranton resident, seeking his fourth term in the Senate, greeted him with cheers and chants of “Bob, Bob, Bob!” Speaking to reporters from local and national media outlets, the Democrat contrasted himself with his opponent, Republican former hedge fund manager Dave McCormick of Pittsburgh.
Casey said while he has “delivered” for Pennsylvania residents, McCormick invested in China.
Casey has led or been tied against McCormick in all but one poll since late September, but his lead has sharply narrowed.
“This is a basic choice about fundamental rights, the rights of women, the rights of workers and voting rights are on the ballot in this race,” Casey said. “I think people will vote in favor of protecting those rights.”
Casey thanked his supporters and posed for photos before he and his family cast ballots.
“I've been a privileged person to be able to serve the people here and to have the trust that they've placed in me all these years,” he said.
Soon after Casey left, Rep. Matt Cartwright, a Moosic Democrat, stopped by the school to greet supporters. The six-term incumbent faces Luzerne County businessman Rob Bresnahan, a Dallas Township Republican.
Cartwright and his family stopped by a table set up by Scranton High School students who plan to attend January’s presidential inauguration. This will be the fifth time teachers Sean Curry and Jerry Skotleski have organized a trip to watch the president take the oath of office.
“It's a great four-day experience for the kids to really be part of history and to get to see all the stuff that they've only learned about, you know, in a classroom,” Curry said.
With Scranton schools closed for the day, the 31 students signed up for the trip set up at five different polling locations across the city, offering snacks and collecting donations. The students started to fundraise for the trip before they even knew the parties’ nominees for president.
“Well, I think it matters who wins, of course. But in this case, I can't really have, like, a biased view on it, because we're just going to see the president and whoever wins,” said senior Rashel Nolasco, 17. “It’s seeing history.”
Voters in the city are predominantly Democrats, but not everyone at Scranton High supported the candidates there. As Casey spoke to reporters, a volunteer for McCormick stuck signs in the ground nearby. Another distributed stickers for Bresnahan.
John Heitzman, a 20-year-old student at the University of Scranton, voted in his first presidential election. He said the state of the economy and his Christian values led him to voting for Republican Donald Trump for president.
Heitzman said he pays for his own education, along with rent, groceries, gas and other expenses.
“I see firsthand the price is going up. And I know how it was four years ago and before that,” he said. “So that definitely played a big role in my vote.”
Williamsport voters tied between Trump and Harris
Williamsport-native Natasha Williams, 65, fears Donald Trump could bring slavery back if elected president.
“He's trying to put us back in slavery. This is the Underground Railroad here in Williamsport. He's trying to put us back in slavery and I can't have that. This is why I'm telling everybody to vote for Kamala,” Williams, who is of black and indian descent, said.
Trump’s past indictments should have put him in prison, Williams said outside of the Monsignor Fleming Parish Center polls in Williamsport.
“He (Trump is horrible if he becomes president again. He has so much stuff against him that he should have been indicted, but he has that kind of money that they won't lock him up because of his status and authority, and I have a problem with that,” she said.
Williams fears that after turning 65, she’ll lose social security under a Trump presidency.
“He'll (Trump) take all of my stuff away from me, and then I don't like his political views on what he says out of his mouth about the border and discrimination against people - not only us, black people, Jews, anything that's not anything that's not him.”
Williams, who studied at Temple University, proudly submitted her vote for her Kappa Alpha kappa sorority sister Kamala Harris despite disagreements.
“I have to vote for my sorority sister because even though she has made some mistakes, her past and upgrading. Upbringing is about a learning experience, and she's going to be the first black woman president,” Williams said smiling.
Democrat Roland Cooley, 64, shared Williamsport support for Harris.
“She has a lot of good ideals and she's willing to change and work on some things that weren't addressed before but addressed now,” he said.
Cooley doesn’t see Trump becoming president again after Jan. 6 Capital riots. He thinks Trump with regained executive power could be worse.
“Put Trump back in there? Too much power. He stormed the capitol when he wasn't even the president, so think if you get president? We'd be back out here trying to not be slaves no more,” Cooley said. “His financial situation will kill us, we won't be able to hold down just one job. We had to work two or three jobs just to take care of our family and that's not the American dream.”
If Harris becomes president, Cooley believes she will work with everybody for the better.
“Ain't nobody perfect, but ain't nobody else trying to get power to control everything,” he said. “A president works with everybody on their board to make things better, not worse.”
Josh Harper, 37, shares different concerns over America’s fate. Harper finds Trump “a very honest person.”
“When you're investigating that much and they can't really find very much to get him on, that says a lot. They could have gotten him for anything if he had committed crimes or whatever,” Harper said.
Another focus is the nation’s current economic state. Harper supports Trump for how prices were during his presidency.
“The last time he was president, those four years, the economy was great - gas prices, groceries, everything was phenomenal,” he said.
Whoever ends up the next president, Harper said he hopes America brings back a strong economy without division.
Pennsylvania College of Technology freshman Tyler Brungart, 18, also wants to see an economy that was under Trump.
“If we go back to when he was in office during 2016, we had all of our we had all of our jobs, we had a secure border, we had low prices, low taxes,” he said “Then during the Biden presidency, everything just went to hell in a hand basket, for lack of a better term.”
Depending on who the next president will be, Brungart said “only time will tell.”
“We can't judge based on what they say, we can only judge based on what they do and what they will do,” he said.
Cartwright votes in Moosic, says the stakes are high in his race for congress
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright felt good as he walked into the Moosic Youth Center to vote.
“Happy with the way we conducted ourselves,” he said about his seventh campaign for office. His arm was draped around his wife, Marion Munley’s shoulders.
Cartwright said they brought home the importance of lowering prescription drug prices and fighting against “profiteering and the gouging of corporate America.”
“We feel it here every time you go to the grocery store, it's big food ripping you off, and standing up for women's reproductive rights and protecting democracy and telling the truth,” he said. “My opponent's campaign was built around a huge lie.”
His opponent, Republican Rob Bresnahan, cast his vote around 7:30 a.m. in Dallas Twp.
They’re battling to represent the 8th Congressional District, which includes Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne, Monroe and Pike counties. Bresnahan is expected to visit the Chestnut Hill Twp. polling precinct in Monroe County with House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican.
Cartwright spoke about Johnson’s support for Bresnahan before voting. He said Johnson wants to pull $2.7 trillion from Social Security and Medicare funding.
“You know how many seniors in our area depend on Social Security alone as their sole source of income? Something like that would be heartless, and I have an opponent who's all in with Mike Johnson. Mike Johnson funded his campaign. Mike Johnson came here to raise money for him,” he said.
House Republicans have proposed cutting federal spending. Before becoming speaker, Johnson served as the chair of the conservative Republican Study Committee. That group released a budget plan that included cuts to Medicare and Social Security.
Cartwright’s sons also joined him at the polling location, where a steady stream of voters walked in and out throughout the morning.
Cartwright said he’s not voting at his usual polling place — the Greenwood Hose Company. He helped secure federal Community Project Funding for a new headquarters.
“Our men and women in blue, our police officers, were having to work out of insanely cramped quarters and dangerous quarters, really, so we couldn't let that continue,” he said. “And that was $3 million, but that was part of the almost $20 million I've been able to bring home for local law enforcement and our district attorney's offices.”
Cartwright says, if reelected and Democrats win the house back, he intends to keep that funding going.
“You can bet Northeastern Pennsylvania will get every penny of our fair share,” he said.
Cartwright said his work in Congress is for the “people in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
“The stakes are indeed very high,” he said.
The congressman is not expecting results of his race tonight.
Debby Odgers also voted in Moosic Tuesday morning. She cast her vote for former President Donald Trump and other republicans running for office.
“I've seen prices go up, tighten the belt a little bit,” she said, adding she wants America to go back to being America.
She feels bad for her children and grandchildren.
“I've seen utility bills go up. I've seen just a lot of stuff going on in America that is not supporting American people, and it upsets me greatly,” she said. “I want it to remain free. I want to be able to have free speech. I want to be able to protect myself. And I see that with the Democrats, they are not supporting that.”
After delay, voting up and running in Laflin
Jonathan Eber arrived at St. Maria Goretti Church in Laflin at 6:30 a.m. to get his place in line to vote.
“There was a line out the door,” he said.
He wasn’t able to vote on that first trip though. The judge of elections was running late, so the poll workers could not start voting, according to Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo.
The polling place was running normally by 8:30 a.m. Eber came back around 9:30 and was able to cast his vote.
“I waited for an hour and a half, I went back home, and then I came back now,” he said after voting.
Eber said he voted with the economy at the top of his mind.
“Things need to change,” he said. “The price of food and the price of everything is way up.”
Janice Teeple got to the church after the morning’s issues had been resolved.
“My husband and I decided to sleep in a little bit longer,” she said. “We arrived at a perfect time.”
She was most concerned about the safety of the country when she voted and was keeping border security in mind.
“I wanted someone who I felt would guarantee they would actually do something to protect us,” she said. “Not just say empty words.”
She said she listened carefully to “both sides” before making her decision.
Young voters take charge of their future in Wilkes-Barre
Voters of all ages, excited and worried about the future of the country packed Wilkes University’s Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center on Tuesday morning.
First-time voter Joshua Ermeus feels it’s his responsibility to vote for leaders who will make the lives of his parents easier. As a junior and football player at Wilkes University, he’s grateful for his parents’ sacrifices, but he wishes they did not have to work as hard.
“I feel like, very, very often those things are disrespected or disregarded,” said Ermeus, a digital design and media art student. “People ... in the working class, I feel like we have it harder than some.”
He’s voting to protect workers’ rights and to fight for better wages, he said.
“Especially like seeing how my parents have worked and everything, like, there's a little bit more of a struggle, you know? I mean, I feel like being so young, I can't speak specifically to certain issues, but I mean, just based on what I see, I just want to make my vote heard,” said Ermeus.
Ermeus wasn’t the only 20-something voting to change a generation’s future.
26-year-old Christopher Smith said he votes in every election, but this is his first time voting for his children.
“I just feel like as a coming parent, like abortion access is very important. You hear about all of these people in different states who don't have the right access, and they're dying or getting seriously injured because the worst happens and they can't get the proper medical care they need,” said Smith.
WVIA will have coverage throughout today of the people’s choice.
Israel, abortion on voters' minds as Election Day gets underway
Yitzy Douglas' thoughts were on the future of two countries as he entered the polling booth Tuesday morning at the Kingston Recreation Center.
"Top issue on my mind? I'm Jewish. So the state of Israel, that was the biggest one out there. And after that, the economy and the border," said Douglas, who voted for former President Donald Trump.
"I just feel that in this case, he would be the stronger candidate in getting, you know, those things accomplished," the Kingston resident said.
"Just how my life was from 2016 to 2020 versus how it was from 2020 to '24 — you know, groceries tripled, gas is almost double," Douglas added. "So I just voted off of that."
There was a full parking lot at the rec center before 8 a.m. Tuesday. That stands in contrast to a smaller crowd at the same time in the same place during April's Pennsylvania primary election.
Still, Douglas and other voters seemed to be moving in and out of the polling place smoothly and efficiently.
Ashlynn Gallagher, another Kingston resident, voted for Vice President Kamala Harris.
"I'm a woman, so of course I align with those issues, and I want to support fellow women and make sure that I get my vote in and and do my duty to help each other out," Gallagher said.
Bresnahan, Pugh cast votes in Dallas Township at packed polling location
At just 7:30am, the Dallas Township Police Department, serving as a polling location for the day, was bustling. Cars circled the parking lot searching for parking before settling on parking across the street in the grass.
Republican congressional candidate Rob Bresnahan stood in a long line of voters. Just like his potential constituents, he waited his turn to cast his vote in the chilly, bright morning.
The strong early turnout encouraged Bresnahan.
“It's just really inspiring and reminds me exactly why I decided to run for Congress,” he said. “How about this turnout? Certainly exciting. This is democracy in action here, and it's a beautiful day in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
Bresnahan expressed his pride in his campaign, saying, “we didn't leave anything on the field. We worked exceptionally hard.”
With a long day ahead of him, he will be visiting various polling locations across Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional district. He’ll end the night at Sabatini’s Bottle Shop and Bar in Exeter to celebrate the end of the campaign and watch the results come in with supporters.
Bresnahan’s a part of one of the most expensive– and competitive– congressional races in the country. His opponent, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, has long been a target of Republicans, and they think this election is the one to finally make his seat flip. Cartwright has held his congressional seat since 2013.
While polls favor Cartwright, Bresnahan has faith in Republican voters across Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne, Monroe and Pike counties, the counties that comprise the 8th district.
“Obviously I hope I win,” he said. “I mean, that's why we went into this. The second place is not what we're looking for here. At the end of the day, it's up for the people of Pennsylvania's eighth congressional district to decide what's the best trajectory for the country.”
Republican Brenda Pugh also stood in line, waiting to vote. She’s running for state representative in District 120 against Democratic competitor Fern Leard. She feels good about Republican chances up and down the ballot.
“I am hopeful for the party,” Pugh said. “I'm hopeful for everybody that's running. I'm hopeful we have a smooth election today. I love to see the turnout. I wish we had this at every election that we run this kind of turnout, because local elections are the most important elections for our residents.”
Voters arrived before the polling place even opened, eager to make their voices heard.
“This is a part of history, and it's a part of our future, and I don't want to miss it,” Michelle Landon, a Dallas voter, said. “It's really important to have my voice heard, and I'm excited to be a part of it, along with everybody else today.”
While Landon did not share what issues drove her to the polls or what candidates she will be voting for, she said there were several key issues and celebrity endorsements that helped her make her decision. The civic engagement of her fellow voters encouraged her, regardless of what the results of today’s election will be.
“There's a lot of hope,” she said. “There's a lot of promise. People are acting on their opportunity, and I'm really very happy to be a part of that.”
Polls Open for General Election
Polls have opened for the General Election and will remain open until 8 p.m.
Voters in northeastern and central Pennsylvania can expect a mostly sunny and unseasonably warm day, according to the National Weather Service, with highs in the low 70s throughout the region.
Here are some key things to know as you head out to vote or await returns:
Many key races are on the line, from the presidency to Senate and House races, to state legislative races here in Pennsylvania, where there has been more than $1 billion in advertising.
The Pennsylvania Department of State has released advice for all voters, including first-time voters, on how to make their vote count – and what to do if they encounter any problems.
Election officials across our region expect heavy turnout, and urge patience as the counting process takes its course. “We’re going to be here until every single ballot is uploaded,” Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo said. “The numbers are unofficial, but we’re going to stay until we have every single one in the system.”
Still weighing your options? Check out WVIA’s Voters Guide. We surveyed candidates running for local, state and federal races throughout our region based on those top voter issues and tabulated their responses here. We extended the same line of questions to all respondents on the most important issues to you.
Check back with us after the polls close. WVIA News will bring you coverage of key races across the region, as well as vote counts for statewide contests, including the race for the White House here in Pennsylvania.