Carlisle Dem planning to run against Barletta

April 25--An Air Force veteran from Carlisle wants to become the Democrat who finally unseats Republican U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta.

Robert Alan Howe, 54, said in a statement he's running because Republicans have focused on reducing taxes on the rich for decades while ignoring the middle class and "star(ving) local communities of essential funding."

He pointed to President Donald Trump's "skinny budget" that dramatically cuts spending to local programs and the Republican healthcare plan that reverses tax hikes on the wealthy in President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act.

"Our communities need a reliable, steady flow of money from union salaries, an updated minimum wage, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food and housing assistance, community development block grants, support for teachers and public education and affordable access to health care," he said in the statement. "Republican policies aim to cut all of these. Democratic policies will restore the flow of money into our communities, supporting demand for goods and services, attracting businesses and creating jobs. Local economic growth depends on this, and our national economy depends on local growth."

Howe, who grew up in Afton, New York, northeast of Binghamton, said he helped plan and launch special operations during the 2003 Iraq War. He retired from the Air Force in 2005, after 25 years.

Howe, who has yet to form a campaign committee, faces an uphill battle.

For one, he lacks Barletta's recognizability. The congressman's fight against illegal immigration as Hazleton mayor made him a household political name across the state.

Barletta is also politically tested and well-funded. After twice losing to him earlier, he won a tough 2010 battle against Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, Barletta, 61, has easily won re-election three times, winning by margins of 17, 33 and 27 percentage points. His latest campaign finance report shows him with more than $340,000 in cash on hand.

Even though the district has about the same number of Democrats as Republicans, President Donald Trump won the district by 60 percent to 36.2 percent, according to a tabulation of presidential results by congressional district by Daily Kos, a liberal online publication.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which helps Democratic House candidates, has not put the 11th on its target list for next year. Three newsletters that track congressional races -- the Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball and Inside Elections -- all consider Barletta's seat safely Republican.

"After 2016, I've ruled out ruling things out," said Nathan L. Gonzales, editor and publisher of Inside Elections. "But I think Democrats are facing a difficult time against the congressman. If Democrats have a serious opportunity against Barletta, that means they already have won the House and they're looking to add to a new majority. ... The district is leaning to the right. We'll just have to see if 2018 circumstances trump it."

Barletta spokesman Jon Anzur declined to comment directly on Howe's candidacy.

"Congressman Barletta is focused on doing his job and working hard for the residents of the 11th District," Anzur said in an email.

The 11th Congressional District includes all of Wyoming County, all of Luzerne County outside the Wilkes-Barre Area, Pittston Area and Wyoming Area school districts; and all or part of seven other counties.

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