Tuesday, August 09, 2005

GOP candidate to run against Kanjorski

From the Times-Tribune:

An area chiropractor hopes to challenge U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, in next year's election. Joseph Leonardi, 40, a Republican who lives in Dupont and has an office in Kingston, will officially announce his candidacy for Congress on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Convention Hall in Pittston Township.

I don't know what his financial situation is like or if he has national backing. I checked the
NRCC web site and they have nothing on him. He is going to need a ton of money to be competitive. He stated one reason for running:

I decided to run because I looked at the decline in the area in the last 10 to 20 years, and I don't think the job is being done. I want to change it," Mr. Leonardi said. Mr. Leonardi pledged to be a "representative for our area" in encouraging investment here. He does not support the inflatable dam project on the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre that Mr. Kanjorski proposed."The way a river cleans itself is by moving. Damming up a polluted river at the source makes no sense whatsoever to me," Mr. Leonardi said. "We don't have a clean portion of the river."

I'm sure he will outline more tonight.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, I've always liked Paul. Over the years he has served I feel he's done a lot for the area. I don't think I would make a decision on who I'd vote for because of an inflatable dam. However, we will eventually need a dependable replacement for Paul. Let's see what this Mr. Leonardi plans to do for us. I need to know more than how he feels about a dam. I'm willing to give him a chance.

Anonymous said...

Now would be the right time for Democrats to begin reviewing potential successors to Mr. Kanjorski. No doubt, he will be re-elected, but he is an old man and cannot go on forever. One potential up and comer is Mayor Mike LOmbardo of Pittston, who as of next January will be retired from politics after having served as that city's youngest Mayor. He has been hitting the local mashed potato circuit over the past few months; more than likely preparing for a state senate run--but I am certain that Congress--particularly Kanjorski's seat--is not far from his mind.