Local congressional candidates discuss issues

Oct. 24--The contests for the three congressional seats that touch Northeast Pennsylvania lack the competitive fire of past races, but voters actually have a choice in each on Election Day.

Two former mayors and a contractor want the $174,000-a-year jobs occupied by Republican U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, Republican Rep. Tom Marino and Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright. House members serve two-year terms.

In the 17th Congressional District race, Mr. Cartwright, D-17, Moosic, a lawyer, faces Republican Matt Connolly, a contractor from Bethlehem Twp. in Northampton County.

In the 10th Congressional District, Mr. Marino, R-10, Lycoming Twp., faces Democrat Michael Molesevich of Lewisburg, an environmental consulting and cleanup business owner.

In the 11th Congressional District, Mr. Barletta, a former Hazleton mayor, faces another former Hazleton mayor, Democrat Mike Marsicano of Hazle Twp., now a trucking and excavating business owner.

The election is Nov. 8.

Three major political newsletters that track congressional races -- The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report, The Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball -- all consider Mr. Barletta, Mr. Marino and

Mr. Cartwright heavy favorites. All three congressmen raised far more money than their challengers.

17th Congressional District

Mr. Connolly describes himself as an outsider and portrays Mr. Cartwright as "a carbon copy of every type of legislator we've had in this country for the last 50 years" and a tax-and-spend liberal.

"The biggest difference between us is he thinks by spending more money, somehow things are going to get better," Mr. Connolly said.

He would fight to lower taxes, minimize federal regulations and give states more power, he said.

He chastised Mr. Cartwright for still supporting the Affordable Care Act, known better as Obamacare, and supports repealing it.

He plans to make reform of the veterans medical care system one of his top priorities.

His other top priority will center on reforming the nation's immigration system by cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants and building a system that secures the nation's border with Mexico, including a wall where appropriate.

Mr. Cartwright disputes the tax-and-spend tag. He points to his successful push for a law that requires pooling of computer software licenses so federal agencies avoid duplication, a move he claims could save $4 billion a year.

"He seems ... only interested in cutting the size of government," he said. "A lot of the things ... that involve my priorities require the involvement of government."

Mr. Cartwright said his priorities remain boosting the region's economy to create good-paying jobs, shoring up and expanding Social Security and Medicare and ensuring the nation's defenses remain strong.

"Social Security and Medicare are programs that prove the government can get it right," he said.

Mr. Cartwright said he will continue to fight for good jobs "by dragging as many federal tax dollars back to the district as I ever can" for local organizations and governments. He said he helped entice Crystal Windows and Door Systems to Lackawanna County and fought for better pay for Tobyhanna Army Depot workers, He acknowledges Congress will have to tinker to improve the Affordable Care Act, but thinks it's working and worth saving.

10th Congressional District

Mr. Molesevich said he sought to run because Mr. Marino supports Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump -- whose character he described as "deplorable" -- and worries more about Mr. Trump than constituents.

"Everyone talks jobs and the economy and working with business, I have that experience. I help businesses expand, I help businesses close deals," he said.

Mr. Molesevich said limiting the influence of rich donors in political campaigns will top his priority list as a congressman. He wants citizens to get $25 federal tax credits for contributing to a campaign.

His priority list also includes addressing climate change by developing wind, solar and other power sources to create new jobs, he said.

Mr. Marino, one of Mr. Trump's earliest supporters, said Washington needs the shake-up Mr. Trump will bring and he's a far better option than Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, whom he considers a serial liar.

Mr. Marino touts a record that includes: getting laws passed to limit federal environmental reviews of construction projects to three years; blocking rapists from claiming parental rights to children born of their rape; allowing federal prison guards to carry pepper spray; and criminalizing organized animal fights in federal law. He also said he deserves re-election because of his exemplary constituent service, his votes reflect the district's conservative leanings and he's a blue-collar guy.

"I call it like I see it. I'm there when people need me and what you see is what you get. You can depend on me," he said.

His top priorities will center on reforming the nation's tax laws; getting a House vote on the Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, which will allow companies better options for private insurance; and pushing for more money for opioid addiction treatment.

11th Congressional District

Mr. Barletta brushes off Mr. Marsicano's criticism that he's a do-nothing congressman.

As a House Transportation subcommittee chairman, Mr. Barletta contends he saved taxpayers $3 billion by forcing the federal government to better manage leased office space. His bill to require care plans for children born of addicted mothers became part of a federal law aimed at addressing opioid addiction earlier this year, he said.

He said he successfully fought to reinstate federal money for after-school programs that target at-risk children, which earned him the 2015 National PTA Legislator of the Year Award. He also said he succeeded in convincing the IRS to exempt volunteer firefighters from the employer mandates of the Affordable Care Act; wrote into law provisions aimed at thwarting cheap steel's entry into U.S. markets; and blocked heavier trucks on American highways at least temporarily.

In the next Congress, he hopes for tax reform that brings companies back from overseas and for the Republican-led overhaul of the Affordable Act.

"I think my experience is the key difference," Mr. Barletta said. "I've actually gotten things done, things that are important to the people back home. I put party aside and work in a bipartisan way that's not common in Washington."

Efforts to reach Mr. Marsicano were unsuccessful last week, but during an interview with The Times-Tribune editorial board, he said he favors term limits for congressmen; reducing federal government regulation of small businesses without adding to pollution; appointing only veterans as top officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs; and allowing veterans who wait too long for care to go to private hospitals and doctors. He said he will work to ensure security at the Mexican border thwarts illegal immigration.

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17th Congressional District Candidates:

The 17th Congressional District includes Scranton, most of the Carbondale area, the Midvalley and the Downvalley in Lackawanna County, most of the towns in the Wilkes-Barre, Pittston Area and Wyoming Area school districts in Luzerne County; part of Monroe County, and all or parts of three other counties.

Name: Matthew Donald Connolly (Republican)

Age: 50

Residence: Bethlehem Twp., Northampton County.

Family: Single; daughter, Alexis.

Education: Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda, Md., 1983; attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla., majoring in aeronautical science for one year; attended University of Maryland, majoring in psychology and architecture for one year.

Employment: Historic preservation contractor/real estate investor.

Experience: Auto mechanic, 1982 to present; race car driver, team owner, mechanic, crew chief, over five different classes, 1989 to 2013; real-estate investor, mid 1990s to present; restorer of historic buildings, 1994 to present; home improvement contractor, 2013-present.

Name: Matthew Alton Cartwright (Democrat)

Age: 55

Residence: Moosic.

Family: Wife, Marion Munley; sons, John and Matthew Jr.

Education: Upper Canada College (high school), 1979; bachelor's degree, history, Hamilton College, 1983; law degree, University of Pennsylvania, 1986.

Employment: U.S. congressman.

Experience: Lawyer, Montgomery, McCracken, Walker and Rhoads, Philadelphia, 1986-1988; Congressman, 2013-present.

10th Congressional District

The 10th Congressional District includes the Abingtons, North Pocono and parts of the Midvalley and Carbondale Twp. in Lackawanna County, all of Susquehanna, Wayne and Pike counties, part of Monroe County and all or parts of 10 other counties.

Name: Michael Mario Molesevich (Democrat)

Age: 61:

Residence: Lewisburg.

Family: Divorced; stepson, Adam.

Education: Mount Carmel High School, 1973; bachelor's degree, environmental science, Juniata College, 1977; master's degree, energy and environmental policy, Bucknell University, 1987.

Employment: Environmental consulting and cleanup company owner.

Experience: Northumberland County Conservation District, 1979; part-time lab assistant, environmental science department, Bucknell University, 1980-1981; auditor, energy efficiency program, Susquehanna Economic Development Authority-Council of Governments, 1981-1986; regional sales manager, Impact Management Systems, an energy services company, 1986-1987; owner, Molesevich Environmental LLC, 1987 to present.

Name: Thomas Anthony Marino (Republican)

Age: 64

Residence: Lycoming Twp., Lycoming County.

Family: Wife, Edie; children, Victor and Chloe.

Education: Williamsport High School, 1970; associate degree, general studies, Williamsport Area Community College, 1983; bachelor's degree, political science and secondary education, Lycoming College, 1985; law degree, Dickinson School of Law, 1988.

Employment: U.S. congressman.

Experience: Lycoming County district attorney, 1992-2002; lawyer/law firm partner, 1988-2002; U.S. attorney, Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2002-2007; counsel, DeNaples Management, Olyphant, 2007-2010; congressman, 2011-present.

11th Congressional District candidates

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

Name: Louis John Barletta (Republican)

Age: 60

Residence: Hazleton.

Family: Wife, Mary Grace; children, Kelly, April, Lindsey and Grace

Education: Hazleton High School, 1973; attended Luzerne County Community College and Bloomsburg State College

Employment: U.S. congressman

Experience: City councilman, Hazleton, 1998-2000: mayor, Hazleton, 2000-2011; owner, Interstate Road Marking Corp., 1984-2000; worked for family construction business, A. Barletta & Sons, 1974-1984, congressman, 2011-present.

Name: Michael Marsicano (Democrat)

Age: 68

Residence: Hazle Twp.

Family: Not available.

Education: Hazleton High School, 1966; Pennsylvania State Police Academy, 1971.

Employment: Owner, MGS Co., trucking and excavating business.

Experience: Pennsylvania National Guard, 1966-1969; trooper, Pennsylvania State Police, 1971-1981; commercial airline pilot, Continental and United Airlines, 1984-2005; city councilman, Hazleton, 1992-1996; mayor, Hazleton, 1996-2000; owner, MGS Co., trucking and excavating business.

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