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December 17, 2009

Barletta pegged as rising GOP star

The Republican “Young Guns” program seeks to identify key hopefuls nationally.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

HAZLETON – Lou Barletta has been designated as an “on the radar” candidate by the National Republican Congressional Committee, it was announced Wednesday.

The NRCC said the designation is an important step in its “Young Guns” program. Founded in the 2007-08 election cycle by U.S. Reps. Eric Cantor, R-Va., Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the Young Guns program is a member-driven organization dedicated to electing open-seat and challenger candidates nationwide.

“I’m pleased to be recognized by the Young Guns,” Barletta said. “Their support will be beneficial to me as the campaign progresses.”

The Young Guns are a team of U.S. House Republican members committed to earning a Republican majority in Congress by supporting hand-selected candidates “who embody the values and principles to fix a broken Washington.”

According to Tory Mazzola, spokesman for the NRCC, the Young Guns “fight for solutions, accountability and policies that strengthen America.”

Barletta is running for the Republican nomination in the 11th Congressional District. He is opposed by Monroe County attorney Chris Paige. The seat is held by 13-term Democratic incumbent Paul Kanjorski of Nanticoke.

Ed Mitchell, spokesman for Kanjorski, noted Barletta received the Young Guns designation in 2008 when he lost to Kanjorski by nearly 10,000 votes. Barletta also ran and lost to Kanjorski in 2002 by 22,000 votes.

“This isn’t about Young Guns, it’s about old news,” Mitchell said, adding, “The designation by the committee seems premature because Chris Paige might beat Barletta in the primary.”

NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions said, “Lou Barletta is an accomplished leader for Northeastern Pennsylvania and he already has significant momentum behind his campaign.”

Mazzola said Barletta is well-known as a hard-line conservative on immigration issues and introduced the Illegal Immigration Relief Act to control a growing illegal immigrant population.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.


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13 COMMENTS

AF said...

Doesnt say much for the Republican Party

December 17, 2009 at 8:15 AM

Rob said...

Proud have Lou as a Republican.

December 17, 2009 at 8:34 AM

Paulie said...

Give the guy credit for speaking his mind and following through on an unpopular attempt to remedy lax federal response. What's the alternative ? A guy who sets his relatives up to bilk taxpayers out of millions . Duh , so what he's a democrat , isn't he ?

December 17, 2009 at 9:15 AM

JG said...

He's run and lost twice on sheer bigotry that would have left his ancestors stranded at Ellis Island. Maybe the NRCC should exhume the corpse of Harold Stassen to add to their "Young Gun" collection...

December 17, 2009 at 9:59 AM

Helen said...

Rising Star only by default. Time for the Republican Party to find new talent.

December 17, 2009 at 10:17 AM

JB said...

AF, it doesn't say much for the voters of the congressional district who weren't intelligent enough NOT to vote for a crook. Hopefully, the voters will get rid of our clown congressman next year.

December 17, 2009 at 10:50 AM

Don't Hate-Participate said...

"THE IMMIGRANTS ARE NOT THE PROBLEM - IT'S THE CROOKS THAT HIRE THEM..."

December 17, 2009 at 11:12 AM

MGM said...

Rob, have you read about hazleton, 70% property tax hike, earned income tax hike, garbabe tax hike, are you GETTING the theme here? Republicans are calling him a star? i see the light from his star waning... but you can have him, better yet Rob, move to Hazleton, let him get into your pocket too.

December 17, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Maria said...

Democrats don't say much for the Democratic party.

December 18, 2009 at 12:33 AM

katy said...

You dumb and uneducatedpeople vote that BIG tub in again cant you see the only good he ever did was for his own pocket

December 21, 2009 at 10:51 AM

RWilliams said...

He's pegged as a loser PERIOD!

December 22, 2009 at 11:46 AM

Alejandro said...

Yeah, By who? Lou or his Mom?

December 23, 2009 at 1:07 PM

Syndie Burnett said...

Lou is the absolute best!!!!!!!!!!!!

December 26, 2009 at 10:58 AM

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