Politico.com: Paul Kanjorski “at risk of losing in November”
I wrote several weeks ago that Lou Barletta, mayor of Hazleton and candidate for Congress in the 11th district, is presenting a stiff challenge to incumbent congressman Paul Kanjorski.
It’s not just me who thinks that Barletta is putting the heat on Kanjorski - Politico.com published a story yesterday calling Kanjorski one of the “five Democratic incumbents least likely to win next year.”
According to The Politico, “Kanjorski is the one congressman on this list who represents a district regularly carried by Democratic presidential candidates. Indeed, Kanjorski has cruised to reelection since his first win in his northeast Pennsylvania district in 1984.” In 2004, Kanjorski ran unopposed and won 94% of the vote. In 2006, running against an opponent, he won easily with 72%. Now, says The Politico, he’s in serious danger of losing the seat, even despite the significant fundraising advantage that incumbents always enjoy and the fact that the media insists this will be a bad year to run as a Republican.
Among the reasons given for Kanjorski’s flailing, foundering campaign? He hasn’t spent much time in the district meeting with voters (I thought that was half his job) and he’s gotten soft from so many easy wins (I don’t think much of anyone who would take my vote for granted).
The article also cites Barletta’s energetic efforts to combat illegal immigration in Hazleton. (he drafted and helped pass laws against hiring illegal immigrants or renting houses and apartments to them).
If you reside in or near the 11th district (encompassing Carbon County, Columbia County, Monroe County, and parts of Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties), please keep your eye out on this website, as well as on our Facebook and STORM pages, for opportunities to help Barletta on to victory! You can sign up to volunteer for the campaign here.