Robert Bresnahan Jr., a University of Scranton alumnus, was elected as a United States House Representative for Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional district.

On Nov. 5. Bresnahan, 34, a Republican defeated incumbent Matt Cartwright, a Democrat, by a margin of roughly 2 percent, according to the Associated Press.  

Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District encompasses five northeast counties in the commonwealth: Lackawanna County, Luzerne County, Monroe County, Pike County and Wayne County. Scranton is located in Lackawanna County, meaning students of the university or residents of the city can look to Bresnahan when they wish to reach out to a national government official.  

Bresnahan is a Pennsylvania native. He was born in Kingston and raised in Hughestown and Wyoming Borough, according to his campaign website. He attended the University of Scranton while working as the CFO of his grandfather’s electrical contracting business. After graduating in 2012, he took over as CEO of the company. This success was just the beginning for Bresnahan.  

Bresnahan’s education at the University of Scranton was shaped by the Jesuits, their mission and their ideals, just as current student’s educations are. Cura personalis (care for the whole person), magis, and ad majorem Dei gloriam (for the greater glory of God) amongst others are some slogans coined by the Society of Jesus.  

Fr. Pedro Arrupe’s 1973 speech “Men for Others” comes to mind as the root of a particular Jesuit ideal Bresnahan is living out. Being men and women for and with others can best be defined as standing in solidarity with those who need it and being the voice for the voiceless. Representatives in Congress are supposed to be delegates who carry out their constituents’ wishes, but some do not act in accordance with their job description. Luckily for the residents of Pennsylvania’s 8th District, Bresnahan’s Jesuit education has taught him what it means to be a person for others.  

Bresnahan recently exemplified his devotion to the local community when he held an environmental roundtable on March 3 in Swiftwater, as was documented on his official congressman page.  

At this meeting with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, Bresnahan said, “We have a great responsibility to take care of the environment and our communities.”  

Listening to the locals and taking their wants and needs into consideration is one way of being a man for others.  

While the congressman’s term has just begun, one can confidently assume that the foundation laid by the Jesuits at the University of Scranton has provided the sky as Bresnahan’s only limit.   

From the University of Scranton, we wish Bresnahan the best of luck during his term as a United States House Representative. We hope his Jesuit roots will be a guiding force in all the important decisions he makes for us.  

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