By David Pierce
Pocono Record Writer

Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta steered clear of a familiar theme when he anounced his third run for Congress last month.

His stand against illegal immigration in his city catapulted Barletta to national prominence. It shaped his views on nearly every issue during two previous runs for the seat held by 13-term Democratic Congressman Paul Kanjorski.

In 2008, the Republican candidate was asked his views on universal health coverage.

"Again, my fear is: If we think we have an illegal immigration problem now, can you imagine what will happen to our health care system if we were offering free health care to everyone without having our borders secured?"

When Barletta announced last month he would run again this year for the 11th District seat, there wasn't one mention of illegal immigration in a five-minute video announcement on his Web site. The issue didn't come up in a telephone news conference either.

Has Barletta made a conscious effort to de-emphasize immigration in the 2010 race?

"I've been asked so much in the last campaign about immigration that I think there's no one who doesn't know how I feel," Barletta said.

A poor economy and lack of jobs are the major issues this year, Barletta said. Pressed about immigration, though, Barletta continues to see connections.

"Any time people are losing work to people who are here illegally — that's something people (who are legal citizens) need here," Barletta said.

He believes government's proper role is to encourage the private sector through tax cuts, rather than funding jobs directly.

"Government doesn't create jobs," he said. "Small businesses create jobs. Entrepreneurs create jobs."

Another difference this time around is the timing of Barletta's announcement.

"I'm starting earlier," he said. "This will allow me to raise more money. Both prior elections I entered the election late — at the last minute."

Barletta expects to benefit this year from a changing political landscape.

"We have an angrier electorate than ever before," Barletta said. "We can't change Washington if we keep sending back the same people."

First, he has to get by a Republican primary opponent — Skytop attorney and hedge fund manager Chris Paige — before he can take on Kanjorski directly. Barletta says he welcomes the competition.

"There may be more than Mr. Paige," Barletta said. "We should have choices."

Kanjorski has a May primary opponent of his own: Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O'Brien. Kanjorski hasn't announced his re-election plans but said last week he is doing "all the things" someone who expects to run would do.

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