Home // News // Hot Topics // Barletta vs. Kanjorski

Background

Kanjorski, a 12-term congressman, is seeking re-election in the 11th Congressional District.

Barletta, who lost to Kanjorski in 2002, is using his recently acquired political capital in a second attempt to oust the Nanticoke Democrat.

Political activist and former congressional candidate Kurt Shotko has entered the race as an Independent. Shotko, 40, of Scranton, said he decided to run as a third-party candidate because it’s time for a change.

Things have changed in the last six years when Kanjorski beat Barletta by more than 14,000 votes. Barletta has become a national figure in the fight for immigration reform. He has appeared on numerous national television shows and has participates in panels at major universities.

11th Congressional District

The 11th Congressional District includes parts of Luzerne and Lackawanna counties and all of Monroe, Columbia and Carbon counties.
The district extends east to the New Jersey border, west past Bloomsburg, south past Shamokin and north to Blakely.
In Luzerne County, it includes Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Pittston and Nanticoke and most municipalities on the east side of the Susquehanna River.

Primary Author

Bill O’Boyle
boboyle@timesleader.com

11th Congressional District Election

Latest Headlines

October 11, 2008

Dem poll says Kanjorski leading

Two days after the Lou Barletta for Congress campaign released results of an internal poll that showed the Hazleton mayor had widened his lead over 12-term Democratic incumbent Paul. E. Kanjorski, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released results of a poll that shows the opposite.

September 29, 2008

NEPA reps split on bailout plan

United States Representatives from northeastern Pennsylvania split in today's decision by the House to defeat a $700 billion emergency rescue package for the nation's staggering financial markets.

September 24, 2008

Realtors’ big cash support of Kanjo draws fire

The non-partisan National Association of Realtors Political Action Committee has spent more money on political advertisements and mailings this month for U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kankorski, D-Nanticoke, than any other member of Congress, according to federal election filings.

September 21, 2008

Kanjo 7th in money received

U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, has received $96,000 in campaign donations from mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac since 1989 – ranking him seventh among all members of Congress who received donations from the two firms.

September 20, 2008

Kanjo changes support of oil drilling bills

U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski Tuesday night voted against an energy bill he co-sponsored and praised earlier this summer. He then voted for a bill that includes provisions he had opposed.

September 18, 2008

Rangel donated to Carney, Kanjorski

Embattled U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel has donated $21,000 each to the campaigns of two of his congressional colleagues from Northeast Pennsylvania since 2000.

September 14, 2008

Kanjorski, Barletta not big on presidential nominees’ views

Neither the small-town Republican mayor whose tough stance on illegal immigration garnered national attention, nor his incumbent Democratic opponent in the 11th Congressional District race is impressed with the two presidential candidates’ views on immigration.

September 8, 2008

Barletta opens Wilkes-Barre campaign HQ

WILKES-BARRE – Tom Dombroski of Trucksville has seen a lot of candidates come and go; Monday evening he said Lou Barletta is going to Washington to represent the 11th Congressional District.

September 8, 2008

Barletta to attend HQ opening

WILKES-BARRE – Congressional candidate Lou Barletta will host the grand opening of his Wilkes-Barre campaign headquarters tonight at 6 at 17 E. Market St., just west of South Washington Street.

September 7, 2008

How the congressional candidates stand on the issue of education

August 22, 2008

Report: 11th House seat up for grabs

The Cook Political Report now rates the race between 12-term incumbent Democrat Paul Kanjorski and Republican challenger Lou Barletta as a toss-up.

August 16, 2008

Report: 10th, 11th lean Dem

A longtime Washington, D.C., publication has rated the two congressional races in Northeastern Pennsylvania, finding each leaning Democratic.

August 14, 2008

Concert enters 11th Congressional race to face off with Kanjorski, Barletta

Christopher Concert made it official Thursday – he’s running as a write-in candidate in the 11th Congressional District.

August 14, 2008

Universal insurance suggested

PLAINS TWP. – U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, and state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, on Wednesday touted the urgent need for universal health care.

August 13, 2008

Kanjorski-Barletta called tossup

Another Washington, D.C., non-partisan political group has assessed the two congressional races in Northeastern Pennsylvania and finds the 11th District race a tossup and the 10th race leaning Republican.

August 13, 2008

Barletta’s TV ads hit airwaves today

HAZLETON – U.S. Congressional candidate Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta will air his first television campaign ad today.Barletta, a Republican, is running against 12-term incumbent Democrat Paul E. Kanjorski in the 11th Congressional District. Kanjorski and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have been airing television ads for weeks.

August 6, 2008

Internal poll: Barletta up by 4 points

HAZLETON – A second internal poll conducted by the Lou Barletta campaign shows the Republican mayor holds a 4-point lead over Democrat incumbent Paul E. Kanjorski.

August 6, 2008

Concert to seek write-in

A third candidate has decided to enter the race in the 11th Congressional District, admitting that he probably can’t win.

August 5, 2008

Barletta campaign rips poll tactics

HAZLETON – The Lou Barletta campaign is upset about a poll it says cast the Hazleton mayor in a negative light, but U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s spokesman denied any involvement with the survey.