Barletta challenges Kanjorski to a series of debates

Hazleton Mayor has challenged U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski to a series of five debates – one in each county of the district.

Barletta, a Republican, will face Kanjorski, a 13-term incumbent Democrat in the November general election.

"It’s very simple. Either Mr. Kanjorski believes he has a record that he can defend and has the courage to meet me in a debate or he does not,” Barletta said. “Will he accept my challenge – yes or no? Does Mr. Kanjorski think the people of the 11th Congressional District deserve at least five hours of his time between now and November? If so, he should agree today, right now, to these debates.”

The 11th District serves Lackawanna, Luzerne, Carbon, Monroe and Columbia counties. There is already a debate scheduled for Oct. 28 at WVIA in Jenkins Township. Barletta has proposed that the WVIA debate could count as the Luzerne County debate.

For the complete story, see Friday's edition of The Times Leader and timesleader.com.