Lou Barletta  (R-PA-11)

First elected:
CWPAC Endorsed: 2008

Residence: Hazleton
Marital Status: Married (Mary Grace)
Prev. Occupation: Mayor of Hazleton, Business owner
Prev. Political Exp.:
Education: Bloomsburg State College
Birthdate: 
Birthplace: Hazleton, Pennyslvania
Church: Holy Rosary Catholic Church
Campaign Website: http://www.loubarletta.com/

Why CWPAC Endorsed

First, I think it is critical you understand just how important this pick up will be to the conservative movement.  Lou’s opponent, Congressman Kanjorski has been in office for almost 14 years and has racked up a rather liberal record.  Take a look:

·        Voted wrong on the so-called Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which could force businesses, including churches and private schools to hire homosexuals

·        Voted against a bill that would have defunded Planned Parenthood, a One Billion dollar organization that receives 335 million dollars from the U.S., state and local taxpayers

·         Voted in favor of more taxpayer funding of destructive Embryonic Stem Cell research, which has shown little promise of curing disease.

·        He voted in favor of so-called Hate Crimes, which could result in the banning of preaching the gospel in public place about what God’s word says about homosexuality.

Congressman Kanjorski even voted against the Pledge Protection Act that would have banned the burning of the American flag for any reason.

Lou on the other hand has showed great courage in office and he is no career politician.

He started out in the family road building business and then after he married, he and his wife started their own business (Interstate Road Marking Corporation) which eventually became the largest pavement marking contractor in Pennsylvania.

In the 1990’s, Lou became concerned with the direction his city was going, so he decided to take a chance and run for City Council of Hazleton.  He became the only elected Republican on the five member board. Lou wasn’t done however – Lou ran for Mayor in a majority Democrat district and won.  And when he took over as mayor the city was facing some pretty tough economic issues.  The city had a large deficit and a budget shortfall.  Lou was able to turn the city around and earned the Governors Award for Fiscal Accountability and Best Management Practices in the process.  But Lou is best known as the mayor that cracked down on illegal aliens in his city and the gang violence, drugs and crime that came with them.  Illegal immigration had become a real problem for his city and was threatening the city's financial foundation.  As a result of this threat, Mayor Barletta passed the toughest anti-illegal alien ordinances in the country.

Besides being a good businessman who decided he wanted to help his community by being a good mayor, Lou is also a good family man.

Lou is married to his wife Mary Grace and has four daughters. He is pro-life and pro-family, and it is clear that when Lou is Congressman of the 11^th district, he won’t just be another vote. This is another tried and true leader.

That’s why I hope you will do everything you can to elect Lou Barletta to Congress.

Lou Barletta campaign site

Paul Kanjorski’s liberal record


 2008 Race Outlook

This race is quickly turning towards Barletta. Still with an incumbent who has enjoyed 70 percent + wins in previous campaigns and 5 percent advantage with democrats over Republicans, any enthusiasm over this race must be looked at with cautious optimism.  Still many are looking at this race to tighten up even more before election day.

 

Cook Report rates this race – Leans D

 

Rothenberg Political Report –Democrat  favored

 

CWPAC’s take –  Lou is a great candidate – If anyone can knock off a seven term incumbent it will be Mayor Barletta.  He has proven in the past that he can win in democrat areas.  Click here to elect Lou Barletta to Congress.