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WILKES-BARRE — Cumberland County Republican Steve Bloom joined the race in the 11th Congressional District Monday, starting off by challenging what he called the “cowardly Congress.”
Bloom, a four-term state representative, released a campaign video announcement challenging GOP congressional leaders to deliver on promises made during last November’s presidential election.
“On Election Day, last November — we couldn’t have been any clearer,” Bloom said. “We voted to fully repeal Obamacare, and free families and small businesses from exploding, unbearable costs and substandard care.”
Bloom also said that the people voted:
• To have borders secured and the rights of legal citizens honored above lawbreakers and abusers.
• To give the military every necessary tool to confront and defeat our enemies, wherever security is threatened.
• To save jobs, right here at home — by fixing bad trade deals and protecting the paychecks of American workers.
• To save the lives of innocent unborn children and end taxpayer subsidies for the heartbreaking abortion industry.
“That was the agenda we voted for, but with few exceptions, that’s not what we’re getting from this cowardly Congress.” Bloom said.
The full video of Bloom’s announcement is available at ActNowCongress.org.
Former Pennsylvania Revenue Secretary Dan Meuser is also seeking the GOP nomination. Robert Alan Howe, a Democrat, announced in April that he will seek the Democratic nomination. Reported to be considering a run for the seat are Democrats state Sen. John Yudichak of Plymouth Township and Luzerne County Council Member Tim McGinley.
U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, is serving his fourth term in Congress. He announced earlier this year that he will seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, the seat currently held by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton.
Bloom said he will host a kickoff event for his “Act Now Congress” tour on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Marcello’s Ristorante and Pizza, 900 Cavalry Road, Carlisle. The public is invited to attend the event, which will feature complementary pizza and drinks.
Since his first election, Bloom said his voting record has received high marks from the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, National Rifle Association (NRA), National Federation of Independent Business, and the American Conservative Union.
Bloom and his wife, Sharon, are members of New Covenant Fellowship Church of Greater Harrisburg. They live in Cumberland County and have three grown children, a daughter-in-law and three grandsons.