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Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district

U.S. House district for Pennsylvania

U.S. House district for Pennsylvania

FieldValue
statePennsylvania
district number8
image name{{maplinkframe=yesplain=yesfrom=Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district (2023–2033).mapframe-height=300frame-width=400frame-latitude=41.4frame-longitude=-75.4zoom=8overlay-horizontal-alignment=rightoverlay-vertical-alignment=bottomoverlay=[[File:Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district (since 2023).svg120px]]
image captionInteractive map of district boundaries since January 3, 2023
representativeRob Bresnahan
partyRepublican
residenceDallas Township
population773,187
population year2024
median income$69,715
percent white74.6
percent hispanic13.2
percent black6.3
percent asian2.0
percent more than one race3.3
percent other race0.6
cpviR+4

| percent more than one race = 3.3

Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district is located in the northeastern region of the state. It encompasses all of Wayne, Pike, and Lackawanna Counties; along with portions of Luzerne and Monroe counties.

The district had been anchored in Bucks County from the 1940s until 2018, even as most other districts in Pennsylvania changed drastically during that time frame due to population shifts and Pennsylvania's loss of seats in the House.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania redrew the district in February 2018 after ruling the previous map unconstitutional due to gerrymandering. The 8th district was reassigned to the northeastern part of the state for the 2018 elections and representation thereafter. It is geographically the successor of the former 17th district, including the ancestrally Democratic cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre in the Wyoming Valley. Portions of the new 8th district also came from the old 10th district, including the more conservative counties of Pike and Wayne. Meanwhile, the Bucks County district was renumbered as the 1st district.

The district contains a mix of suburban and rural communities centered around the industrial hubs of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre that are predominantly white and working class. While a longtime Democratic stronghold, the Democrats in this region are populist-leaning, different from their counterparts in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The district voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 but swung for Donald Trump in 2016, 2020, and 2024, the first time much of this area had voted for a Republican since the 1980s.

However, Democrats still dominate down ballot. It was one of five districts that voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 while being won or held by a Democrat in 2022. At the time it was also the most Republican-leaning district held by a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus based on the Cook Partisan Voting Index. The district has only elected a Republican to Congress three times since 1947, in the Republican waves of 1980 and 2010 and most recently in 2024 when current representative Rob Bresnahan narrowly ousted then-incumbent Matt Cartwright, a Democrat.

Recent election results from statewide races

YearOfficeResults
2008PresidentObama 57% - 42%
Attorney GeneralCorbett 52% - 48%
Auditor GeneralWagner 65% - 35%
2010SenateSestak 52% - 48%
GovernorCorbett 52% - 48%
2012PresidentObama 56% - 44%
SenateCasey Jr. 59% - 41%
2014GovernorWolf 60% - 40%
2016PresidentTrump 53% - 44%
SenateMcGinty 47.4% - 46.7%
Attorney GeneralShapiro 53% - 47%
TreasurerTorsella 53% - 41%
Auditor GeneralDePasquale 52% - 42%
2018SenateCasey Jr. 52% - 46%
GovernorWolf 57% - 42%
2020PresidentTrump 51% - 48%
Attorney GeneralShapiro 52% - 45%
TreasurerTorsella 48.29% - 48.26%
Auditor GeneralDeFoor 49% - 47%
2022SenateFetterman 49% - 48%
GovernorShapiro 54% - 44%
2024PresidentTrump 54% - 45%
SenateMcCormick 51% - 47%
TreasurerGarrity 53% - 44%

Composition

Lackawanna County (40) : All 40 municipalities

Luzerne County (55) : Ashley, Avoca, Bear Creek Township, Bear Creek Village, Buck Township, Butler Township (part; also 9th; includes Beech Mountain Lakes), Courtdale, Dallas Township, Dennison Township, Dupont, Duryea, Edwardsville, Exeter Borough, Exeter Township, Fairview Township, Freeland, Forty Fort, Foster Township, Franklin Township, Hanover Township, Harveys Lake, Hazle Township, Hazleton, Jackson Township, Jeddo, Jenkins Township, Kingston Borough, Kingston Township, Laflin, Larksville, Laurel Run, Luzerne, Nanticoke, Newport Township (part; also 9th; includes Sheatown and Wanamie), Nuangola, Penn Lake Park, Pittston, Pittston Township, Plains Township, Plymouth Borough, Plymouth Township, Pringle, Rice Township, Sugar Notch, Swoyersville, Warrior Run, West Pittston, West Hazleton, West Wyoming, White Haven, Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre Township, Wright Township, Wyoming, Yatesville

Monroe County (18) : Barrett Township, Chestnuthill Township, Coolbaugh Township, Delaware Water Gap, East Stroudsburg, Hamilton Township, Jackson Township, Middle Smithfield Township, Mount Pocono, Paradise Township, Pocono Township, Price Township, Ross Township (part; also 7th; includes part of Saylorsburg), Smithfield Township, Stroud Township, Stroudsburg, Tobyhanna Township, Tunkhannock Township

Pike County (13) : All 13 municipalities

Wayne County (28) : All 28 municipalities

List of members representing the district

The district was created in 1791.

1791–1793: one seat

RepresentativePartyYearsCong
ressElectoral history
District first established March 4, 1791
[[File:William Findley.jpg100px]]
William Findley
(Youngstown)Anti-AdministrationnowrapMarch 4, 1791 –
March 3, 1793Elected in 1791.
Redistricted to the .

District eliminated in 1793 and replaced by the .

1795–1823: one seat

District restored in 1795.

RepresentativePartyYearsCong
ressElectoral history
[[File:Thomas Hartley 1748-1800.png100px]]
Thomas Hartley
(York)FederalistnowrapMarch 4, 1795 –
December 21, 1800Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1794.
Re-elected in 1796.
Re-elected in 1798.
Retired and then died.
VacantnowrapDecember 21, 1800 –
January 15, 1801
John Stewart
(York)Democratic-RepublicannowrapJanuary 15, 1801 –
March 3, 1803Elected in 1800.
Elected January 15, 1801, to finish Hartley's term and seated February 3, 1801.
Redistricted to the .
[[File:William Findley.jpg100px]]
William Findley
(Youngstown)Democratic-RepublicannowrapMarch 4, 1803 –
March 3, 1813Elected in 1802.
Re-elected in 1804.
Re-elected in 1806.
Re-elected in 1808.
Re-elected in 1810.
Redistricted to the .
William Piper
(Bloodyrun)Democratic-RepublicannowrapMarch 4, 1813 –
March 3, 1817Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1812.
Re-elected in 1814.
Retired.
Alexander Ogle
(Somerset)Democratic-RepublicannowrapMarch 4, 1817 –
March 3, 1819Elected in 1816.
Retired.
Robert Philson
(Somerset)Democratic-RepublicannowrapMarch 4, 1819 –
March 3, 1821Elected in 1818.
Lost re-election as a Federalist.
[[File:JohnTod.jpg100px]]
John Tod
(Bedford)Democratic-RepublicannowrapMarch 4, 1821 –
March 3, 1823Elected in 1820.
Redistricted to the .

1823–1833: two seats

YearsCong
ressSeat ASeat BRepresentativePartyElectoral historyRepresentativePartyElectoral history
nowrapMarch 4, 1823 –
April 20, 1824Thomas Jones Rogers
(Easton)Democratic-RepublicanRedistricted from the and re-elected in 1822.
Resigned.[[File:SIng.jpg100px]]
Samuel D. Ingham
(New Hope)Democratic-RepublicanRedistricted from the and re-elected in 1822.
Re-elected in 1824.
Re-elected in 1826.
Re-elected in 1828 but resigned to become U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
nowrapApril 20, 1824 –
December 9, 1824Vacant
nowrapDecember 9, 1824 –
March 3, 1825[[File:George Wolf.jpg100px]]
George Wolf
(Easton)Democratic-RepublicanElected October 12, 1824, to finish Rogers's term and seated December 9, 1824.
Also elected the same day in 1824 to the next term.
Re-elected in 1826.
Re-elected in 1828 but resigned to become Governor of Pennsylvania.
nowrapMarch 4, 1825 –
March 3, 1829JacksonianJacksonian
nowrapMarch 4, 1829 –
October 13, 1829VacantVacant
nowrapOctober 13, 1829 –
March 3, 1833Samuel A. Smith
(Rockhill)JacksonianElected October 13, 1829, to finish Wolf's term and seated December 7, 1829.
Re-elected in 1830.
Retired.Peter Ihrie Jr.
(Easton)JacksonianElected October 13, 1829, to finish Ingham's term and seated December 7, 1829.
Re-elected in 1830.
Redistricted to the and lost re-election.

1833–present: one seat

MemberPartyYearsCong
ressElectoral historyDistrict location
Henry King
(Allentown)JacksoniannowrapMarch 4, 1833 –
March 3, 1835Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1832.
Retired.1833–1843
Edward Burd Hubley
(Orwigsburg)JacksoniannowrapMarch 4, 1835 –
March 3, 1837Elected in 1834.
Re-elected in 1836.
Retired.
DemocraticnowrapMarch 4, 1837 –
March 3, 1839
Peter Newhard
(Allentown)DemocraticnowrapMarch 4, 1839 –
March 3, 1843Elected in 1838.
Re-elected in 1840.
Retired.
[[File:JeremiahBrown.jpg100px]]
Jeremiah Brown
(Goshen)WhignowrapMarch 4, 1843 –
March 3, 1845Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1843.
Retired.1843–1853
John Strohm
(New Providence)WhignowrapMarch 4, 1845 –
March 3, 1849Elected in 1844.
Re-elected in 1846.
[[File:Thaddeus Stevens -c1863.jpg100px]]
Thaddeus Stevens
(Lancaster)WhignowrapMarch 4, 1849 –
March 3, 1853Elected in 1848.
Re-elected in 1850.
Henry A. Muhlenberg
(Reading)DemocraticnowrapMarch 4, 1853 –
January 9, 1854Elected in 1852.
Died.1853–1863
VacantnowrapJanuary 9, 1854 –
February 4, 1854
[[File:J. Glancy Jones.jpg100px]]
J. Glancy Jones
(Reading)DemocraticnowrapFebruary 4, 1854 –
October 30, 1858Elected to finish Muhlenberg's term.
Re-elected in 1854.
Re-elected in 1856.
Resigned to become United States Minister to Austria.
VacantnowrapOctober 30, 1858 –
December 7, 1858
[[File:WHKeim.jpg100px]]
William H. Keim
(Reading)RepublicannowrapDecember 7, 1858 –
March 3, 1859Elected to finish Jones's term.
John Schwartz
(Reading)Anti-Lecompton DemocraticnowrapMarch 4, 1859 –
June 20, 1860Elected in 1858.
Died.
VacantnowrapJune 20, 1860 –
December 3, 1860
Jacob K. McKenty
(Reading)DemocraticnowrapDecember 3, 1860 –
March 3, 1861Elected to finish Schwartz's term.
Retired.
[[File:Sydenham Elnathan Ancona - Brady-Handy.jpg100px]]
Sydenham E. Ancona
(Reading)DemocraticMarch 4, 1861 –
March 3, 1867Elected in 1860.
Re-elected in 1862.
Re-elected in 1864.
Lost renomination.
1863–1873
[[File:JamesLawrenceGetz.jpg100px]]
James L. Getz
(Reading)DemocraticnowrapMarch 4, 1867 –
March 3, 1873Elected in 1866.
Re-elected in 1868.
Re-elected in 1870.
Retired.
[[File:Hiester Clymer Brady-Handy.jpg100px]]
Hiester Clymer
(Reading)DemocraticnowrapMarch 4, 1873 –
March 3, 1881Elected in 1872.
Re-elected in 1874.
Re-elected in 1876.
Re-elected in 1878.
1873–1883
[[File:DanielErmentrout.jpg100px]]
Daniel Ermentrout
(Reading)DemocraticMarch 4, 1881 –
March 3, 1889Elected in 1880.
Re-elected in 1882.
Re-elected in 1884.
Re-elected in 1886.
Lost renomination.
1883–1893
[[File:William Mutchler (Congressman from Pennsylvania).jpg100px]]
William Mutchler
(Easton)DemocraticMarch 4, 1889 –
June 23, 1893Elected in 1888.
Re-elected in 1890.
Re-elected in 1892.
Died.
1893–1903
VacantnowrapJune 23, 1893 –
August 7, 1893
[[File:Howard Mutchler (Pennsylvania Congressman).jpg100px]]
Howard Mutchler
(Easton)DemocraticnowrapAugust 7, 1893 –
March 3, 1895Elected to finish his father's term.
Retired.
[[File:Joseph Johnson Hart (Pennsylvania Congressman).jpg100px]]
Joseph J. Hart
(Milford)DemocraticnowrapMarch 4, 1895 –
March 3, 1897Elected in 1894.
Retired.
[[File:William Sebring Kirkpatrick, 1844-1932.jpg100px]]
William S. Kirkpatrick
(Easton)RepublicannowrapMarch 4, 1897 –
March 3, 1899Elected in 1896.
Lost re-election.
[[File:Laird H. Barber (Pennsylvania Congressman).jpg100px]]
Laird H. Barber
(Mauch Chunk)DemocraticnowrapMarch 4, 1899 –
March 3, 1901Elected in 1898.
Retired.
[[File:Howard Mutchler (Pennsylvania Congressman).jpg100px]]
Howard Mutchler
(Easton)DemocraticnowrapMarch 4, 1901 –
March 3, 1903Elected in 1900.
Retired.
[[File:IrvingPWanger.jpg100px]]
Irving P. Wanger
(Norristown)RepublicannowrapMarch 4, 1903 –
March 3, 1911Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1902.
Re-elected in 1904.
Re-elected in 1906.
Re-elected in 1908.
Lost re-election.1903–1913
[[File:R.E. Diefenderfer LCCN2014686243 (cropped).jpg100px]]
Robert E. Difenderfer
(Jenkintown)DemocraticMarch 4, 1911 –
March 3, 1915Elected in 1910.
Re-elected in 1912.
Lost renomination.
1913–1933
[[File:HenryWWatson.jpg100px]]
Henry W. Watson
(Langhorne)RepublicannowrapMarch 4, 1915 –
March 3, 1923Elected in 1914.
Re-elected in 1916.
Re-elected in 1918.
Re-elected in 1920.
Redistricted to the Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district.
[[File:Thomas S. Butler (Pennsylvania Congressman).jpg100px]]
Thomas S. Butler
(West Chester)RepublicannowrapMarch 4, 1923 –
May 26, 1928Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1922.
Re-elected in 1924.
Re-elected in 1926.
Died.
VacantnowrapMay 26, 1928 –
November 6, 1928
[[File:JamesPaineWolfenden.jpg100px]]
James Wolfenden
(Upper Darby)RepublicanNovember 6, 1928 –
January 3, 1945Elected to finish Butler's term.
Re-elected in 1928.
Re-elected in 1930.
Re-elected in 1932.
Re-elected in 1934.
Re-elected in 1936.
Re-elected in 1938.
Re-elected in 1940.
Re-elected in 1942.
Redistricted to the Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district.
1933–1943
1943–1953
[[File:CharlesLGerlach.jpg100px]]
Charles L. Gerlach
(Allentown)RepublicannowrapJanuary 3, 1945 –
May 5, 1947Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1944.
Re-elected in 1946.
Died.
VacantnowrapMay 5, 1947 –
September 9, 1947
[[File:Franklin H. Lichtenwalter.jpg100px]]
Franklin H. Lichtenwalter
(Center Valley)RepublicannowrapSeptember 9, 1947 –
January 3, 1951Elected to finish Gerlach's term.
Re-elected in 1948.
[[File:Albert Clinton Vaughn (Pennsylvania Congressman).jpg100px]]
Albert C. Vaughn
(Fullerton)RepublicannowrapJanuary 3, 1951 –
September 1, 1951Elected in 1950.
Died.
VacantnowrapSeptember 1, 1951 –
November 6, 1951
[[File:Karl C. King.jpg100px]]
Karl C. King
(Morrisville)RepublicanNovember 6, 1951 –
January 3, 1957Elected to finish Vaughn's term.
Re-elected in 1952.
Re-elected in 1954.
Retired.
1953–1963
[[File:Willard S. Curtin.jpg100px]]
Willard S. Curtin
(Morrisville)RepublicanJanuary 3, 1957 –
January 3, 1967Elected in 1956.
Re-elected in 1958.
Re-elected in 1960.
Re-elected in 1962.
Re-elected in 1964.
Retired.
1963–1973
[[File:EGBiester.png100px]]
Edward G. Biester Jr.
(Furlong)RepublicanJanuary 3, 1967 –
January 3, 1977Elected in 1966.
Re-elected in 1968.
Re-elected in 1970.
Re-elected in 1972.
Re-elected in 1974.
Retired.
1973–1983
[[File:Peter Kostmeyer.png100px]]
Peter H. Kostmayer
(Solebury)DemocraticnowrapJanuary 3, 1977 –
January 3, 1981Elected in 1976.
Re-elected in 1978.
Lost re-election.
[[File:JKCoyneIII.png100px]]
James K. Coyne III
(Newtown)RepublicannowrapJanuary 3, 1981 –
January 3, 1983Elected in 1980.
Lost re-election.
[[File:Peter Kostmeyer.png100px]]
Peter H. Kostmayer
(Solebury)DemocraticnowrapJanuary 3, 1983 –
January 3, 1993Elected in 1982.
Re-elected in 1984.
Re-elected in 1986.
Re-elected in 1988.
Re-elected in 1990.
Lost re-election.1983–1993
[[File:Jim Greenwood portrait.gif100px]]
Jim Greenwood
(Erwinna)RepublicanJanuary 3, 1993 –
January 3, 2005Elected in 1992.
Re-elected in 1994.
Re-elected in 1996.
Re-elected in 1998.
Re-elected in 2000.
Re-elected in 2002.
Retired.1993–2003
2003–2013
[[File:CongressionalDistrict8.png300px]]
[[File:Mike Fitzpatrick, Official Portrait, 112th Congress.jpg100px]]
Mike Fitzpatrick
(Levittown)RepublicannowrapJanuary 3, 2005 –
January 3, 2007Elected in 2004.
Lost re-election.
[[File:Patrick Murphy official 110th Congress photo.jpg100px]]
Patrick Murphy
(Bristol)DemocraticnowrapJanuary 3, 2007 –
January 3, 2011Elected in 2006.
Re-elected in 2008.
Lost re-election.
[[File:Mike_Fitzpatrick,_Official_Portrait,_112th_Congress.jpg100px]]
Mike Fitzpatrick
(Levittown)RepublicanJanuary 3, 2011 –
January 3, 2017Elected in 2010.
Re-elected in 2012.
Re-elected in 2014.
Retired.
2013–2019
[[File:Pennsylvania US Congressional District 8 (since 2013).tif300px]]
[[File:Brian Fitzpatrick official congressional photo.jpg100px]]
Brian Fitzpatrick
(Langhorne)RepublicannowrapJanuary 3, 2017 –
January 3, 2019Elected in 2016.
Redistricted to the
[[File:Matt Cartwright, official portrait, 113th Congress.jpg100px]]
Matt Cartwright
(Moosic)DemocraticJanuary 3, 2019 –
January 3, 2025Redistricted from the and re-elected in 2018.
Re-elected in 2020.
Re-elected in 2022.
Lost re-election.2019–2023
[[File:Pennsylvania Congressional District 8.png300px]]
2023–
[[File:Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district (since 2023).svg300px]]
[[File:Rep. Rob Bresnahan official photo, 119th Congress.jpg100px]]
Rob Bresnahan
(Dallas Township)RepublicanJanuary 3, 2025 –
presentElected in 2024.

Election results

References

References

  1. (April 3, 2025). "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)".
  2. "Congressional Interactive District Map".
  3. (February 19, 2018). "The New Pennsylvania House Districts Are In. We Review the Mapmakers' Choices.". The New York Times.
  4. "Dra 2020".
  5. "2022 PA Statewides by CD".
  6. (2012-11-06). "2012 General Election—Official Returns". Pennsylvania Department of State.
  7. (November 4, 2014). "Pennsylvania 2014 General Election - November 4, 2014 Official Results". Pennsylvania Secretary of State.
  8. "2020 Presidential Election - Representative in Congress".
  9. "2022 General Election Official Returns - Representative in Congress".
  10. "2024 General Election Official Returns - Representative in Congress".
Info: Wikipedia Source

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