Holden-Cartwright Race is One of State's Hottest

Nine-term incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Holden "is in the fight of his political life," according to PoliticsPa.

The Democratic primary pitting challenger Matt Cartwright against Holden is expected to be one of Tuesday's closest primary contests in Pennsylvania.

Neither candidate has ties to Northampton County, but voters here will help determine the outcome of the battle.

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Holden's congressional district was redrawn dramatically to include 80 percent of territority that is new to him. put Easton as well as Palmer and Forks townships and the Nazareth area into Holden's 17th House district, thus splitting up the Lehigh Valley in a  

Holden, 55, lives in St. Clair, Schuylkill County.

Cartwright, 50, lives in Moosic, Lackawanna County. Cartwright, a lawyer, has raised and loaned himself more than $700,000 for his campaign. 

Outside groups have spent more than $500,000 on ads in the race.

Former Gov. Ed Rendell endorsed Holden over the weekend. Former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak was the featured speaker at a rally for Cartwright in Easton on Saturday.

Holden and Cartwright agreed late last week to a ceasefire in their negative ad war.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Voters can find their polling place by using this website.