Will he or won’t he? A source close to Lou Barletta told PoliticsPA earlier this month that the Hazelton mayor would decide on a congressional run in late November, but the former candidate has yet to announce anything official. We know Barletta is trying to retire $250,000 in campaign debt by asking for donations, and his letter did indicate he was leaning toward challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski for a third time.
Barletta adviser Vince Galko tells PoliticsPA response to the letter has “exceeded expectations by a huge amount,” but he remained coy about whether a decision has been made. “Mayor Barletta is still considering a run,” Galko said.
The first “Bonusgate”-related trial will begin tomorrow, as former state Rep. Sean Ramaley of Beaver County heads to court in Pittsburgh. Though Ramaley was hardly one of the major players in the alleged corruption schemes, this case, like the others, is years in the making. The other prosecutors and defendants (and, of course, PoliticsPA) will be watching very closely.
What isn’t on the horizon? Any real heat for Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, whose proposed tax on college tuition has created negative press for the mayor, but no substantive threats. From the Post-Gazette’s Rich Lord: “Given annual tuition hikes that dwarf the proposed levy, most students won’t remember it when some council members come up for re-election in 2011, let alone in 2013, when the mayor faces voters.”
Tags: Weekly Primer
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Sy: That young Mayor better realize that people “don’t forget”! These kids are trying to get an education, they do not need another assessment.
Also, Barletta better remember he has not paid off his debts from last time, and they will be monumental this time. Kanjorskie has tenure on his side.