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WILKES-BARRE — Mike Marsicano, who just lost a congressional race to Lou Barletta in 2016, will give it another shot.
But this time, Barletta will not be in the field since he’s running for U.S. Senate.
Marsicano has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the 11th Congressional District.
In his announcement, made via a web video, Marsicano stressed the need for fundamental change in the way business is conducted in Washington.
Marsicano derided “a broken system mired in partisan bickering” and called for reform to end the practice of partisan gerrymandering which “subverts the ability of the electorate to have real influence in elections.”
Marsicano is also proposing a term-limit plan, noting that career politicians who are influenced by lobbyists and special interests have undermined public service. He is calling for bipartisan action on issues such as job growth, an equitable tax system that benefits the middle class, veterans’ issues and commonsense healthcare reform.
The video can be accessed at his website — www.marsicano.net.
In the November 2016 general election, Marsicano lost to incumbent Republican Barletta by a large margin — 65 percent to 35 percent. Both men are former mayors of Hazleton.
Barletta has opted to run for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by two-term Democratic incumbent Bob Casey of Scranton.
The Pennsylvania primary will be held May 15, 2018.
Marsicano enters a crowded field for Barletta’s seat. The other contenders:
• Denny Wolff, 66, a Democrat from Greenwood Township in Columbia County.
• Andrew Lewis, 30, a Republican, a U.S. Army combat veteran and Dauphin County business owner.
• State Rep. Stephen Bloom, 55, a Republican from Cumberland County.
• Dan Meuser, 53, a Republican and former state revenue secretary from Kingston Township.
• Andrew Shecktor, 60, a Republican who was a Trump delegate at the Republican National Convention and a Berwick Borough councilman.
• Robert “Alan” Howe, 55, a Democrat from Cumberland County.
The 11th Congressional District includes a chunk of Luzerne County along with Columbia, Montour and Wyoming counties and parts of Carbon, Cumberland, Dauphin, Northumberland and Perry counties.