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Brian Kelly, d

May 9

Brian Kelly, d

WILKES-BARRE – Brian Kelly is a different kind of candidate. Kelly, 62, is a professor at Marywood University and authored five books last year alone.

He has not accepted any campaign contributions, nor has he solicited any.

He is spending the bare minimum as he tries to win the Democratic nomination in the race in the 11th Congressional District.

Kelly is running against two formidable foes – 13-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski and Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O’Brien.

Both of Kelly’s opponents are spending considerable amounts of money to try to win the nomination. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will face Hazleton republican Lou Barletta in the November general election.

Kelly talks a good game – so good he somehow managed to secure “an endorsement” from late Congressman Daniel J. Flood. It’s on Kelly’s website and at the very least, it shows the comedic side to a serious candidate.

Kelly calls the federal stimulus package the “porkulus bill” that was aimed at bringing “pork” back to communities to benefit incumbent legislators. And then there is the health care reform bill.

“Clearly the American people are not for Obama-care,” Kelly said. “It’s a fiscal tragedy that will cost $600 billion in tax dollars; somebody is going to have to ultimately pay.”

Kelly said Medicare is in jeopardy because Congress used $528 billion from the fund. “And the last time I checked, Medicare wasn’t doing all that well,” he said.

The former IBM systems engineer said he remains a Democrat despite his constant attack on the party’s policies.

“The Democratic Party has been hijacked,” Kelly said.

Kelly has vowed to not be a career politician. He originally said he would serve just one term, but has now said he would consider a second term.

“I am not hopeful to be a career politician,” he said. “Actually besides an early death, it is the last thing I want.”

Kelly said he offers:

• Honesty (“I can’t stand liars.”)

• A little trepidation: (“Yes, I will be as scared in the chambers as I was in my first classroom.”)

• A quivering voice at times (“It goes with 2 above.”)

• Love of NEPA and an NEPA citizen’s perspective (“I’ve been here all my life.”)

• An honest man who will have a voice in Congress to represent only the interests of the citizens of NEPA.

Kelly’s website – www.briankellyforcongress.com – offers the candidate’s views on issues and just about everything else. It gives a genuine insight into Kelly and what makes him tick.

For instance, on the subject of abortion, here is what Kelly says about his “pro-baby” stance.

“I support protection of the unborn,” he said. “I am father to three wonderful grown-up babies and I would not trade any of them for the whole world. A baby is a heart-melter even more than butter on black pavement on a hot day. I have been challenged on my pro-baby stance and that is why I decided to change the words from pro-life to pro-baby. I want the little guy who is forming his or her life in the womb to be the focus of the argument of whether he or she lives or dies.”

Voters should visit Kelly’s website – it’s his best effort in the battle for the nomination. You won’t be seeing his TV commercials or any other advertisements because he won’t have the money – by choice – to buy them. Kelly said he won’t accept campaign contributions because “politicians” get donations from their friends.

“Then too many favors go to special interests and that corrupts the system,” Kelly said. “I’m certain our Founding Fathers never expected this.”

Kelly has been campaigning throughout the 11th District. He said it’s an exhaustive mission.

“If you reach people, you can win,” Kelly said. “If you don’t, then money will win.”

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