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Background

Kanjorski, a 12-term congressman, is seeking re-election in the 11th Congressional District.

Barletta, who lost to Kanjorski in 2002, is using his recently acquired political capital in a second attempt to oust the Nanticoke Democrat.

Political activist and former congressional candidate Kurt Shotko has entered the race as an Independent. Shotko, 40, of Scranton, said he decided to run as a third-party candidate because it’s time for a change.

Things have changed in the last six years when Kanjorski beat Barletta by more than 14,000 votes. Barletta has become a national figure in the fight for immigration reform. He has appeared on numerous national television shows and has participates in panels at major universities.

11th Congressional District

The 11th Congressional District includes parts of Luzerne and Lackawanna counties and all of Monroe, Columbia and Carbon counties.
The district extends east to the New Jersey border, west past Bloomsburg, south past Shamokin and north to Blakely.
In Luzerne County, it includes Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Pittston and Nanticoke and most municipalities on the east side of the Susquehanna River.

Primary Author

Bill O'Boyle
boboyle@timesleader.com

11th Congressional District Election

Latest Headlines

August 16, 2008

Report: 10th, 11th lean Dem

A longtime Washington, D.C., publication has rated the two congressional races in Northeastern Pennsylvania, finding each leaning Democratic.

August 14, 2008

Concert enters 11th Congressional race to face off with Kanjorski, Barletta

Christopher Concert made it official Thursday – he’s running as a write-in candidate in the 11th Congressional District.

August 14, 2008

Universal insurance suggested

PLAINS TWP. – U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, and state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, on Wednesday touted the urgent need for universal health care.

August 13, 2008

Kanjorski-Barletta called tossup

Another Washington, D.C., non-partisan political group has assessed the two congressional races in Northeastern Pennsylvania and finds the 11th District race a tossup and the 10th race leaning Republican.

August 13, 2008

Barletta’s TV ads hit airwaves today

HAZLETON – U.S. Congressional candidate Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta will air his first television campaign ad today.Barletta, a Republican, is running against 12-term incumbent Democrat Paul E. Kanjorski in the 11th Congressional District. Kanjorski and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have been airing television ads for weeks.

August 6, 2008

Internal poll: Barletta up by 4 points

HAZLETON – A second internal poll conducted by the Lou Barletta campaign shows the Republican mayor holds a 4-point lead over Democrat incumbent Paul E. Kanjorski.

August 6, 2008

Concert to seek write-in

A third candidate has decided to enter the race in the 11th Congressional District, admitting that he probably can’t win.

August 5, 2008

Barletta campaign rips poll tactics

HAZLETON – The Lou Barletta campaign is upset about a poll it says cast the Hazleton mayor in a negative light, but U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s spokesman denied any involvement with the survey.

August 1, 2008

Kanjorski to debate Barletta on WVIA

The two 11th District congressional candidates will debate live on the station on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m.

August 1, 2008

Stevens’ cash to Barletta rapped

U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski is questioning a donation made by U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens to Lou Barletta’s 2002 congressional campaign, a move the Republican challenger called desperate.

July 31, 2008

CBS eyes Kanjorski earmark

A Nanticoke lawmaker was interviewed by a crew from “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” about a $5.6 million federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski. The report is set to air tonight.

July 30, 2008

Kanjorski in trouble, report says

Paul Kanjorski’s re-election campaign could be in trouble, according to a Washington, D.C., political handicapper.

July 29, 2008

Barletta asks area TV stations to pull ‘false’ ads

Lou Barletta has asked local television stations to pull political ads he claims wrongly portray his position on Social Security.

July 29, 2008

Incumbents’ TV ads start early

Check your calendars and you’ll see it’s July. But to those watching television, it may feel more like September or October.

July 21, 2008

Barletta savors top-mayor prize

HAZLETON – Mayor Lou Barletta, known for his local crackdown on illegal immigration, has been named Mayor of the Year by his peers in the Pennsylvania State Mayors Association.

July 18, 2008

Barletta claims lead on Kanjorski

HAZLETON -- Congressional GOP hopeful Lou Barletta said Thursday night he has a 5 percentage-point lead over incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski in the 11th Congressional District race.

July 16, 2008

Illegal-alien issue key to Barletta in 11th run

HAZLETON — Mayor Lou Barletta, whose bid to unseat a 12-term congressman is based largely on his reputation as an anti-illegal immigration crusader, is trying to keep his signature issue alive even as voters turn their attention to the troubled economy and sky-high gas prices.

July 16, 2008

Kanjorski, Carney lead in campaign cash race

U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s re-election campaign has surpassed the $2 million mark, according to the latest filings with the Federal Election Commission.

July 15, 2008

Barletta asks firms to take immigration pledge

HAZLETON, Pa. (AP) _ Hazleton Mayor and Republican congressional candidate Lou Barletta wants businesses in his Pennsylvania city to certify that they do not employ illegal immigrants.