www.yorkdispatch.com/politics/ci_5908958
Email Hazleton mayor wins nomination from both parties MICHAEL RUBINKAM The Associated Press Article Last Updated: 05/16/2007 11:01:31 AM EDT Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, who gained national prominence by targeting illegal immigrants living in his small northeastern Pennsylvania city, cruised to the Republican nomination for a third term on Tuesday -- and unexpectedly won the Democratic nomination, too. Barletta trounced GOP challenger Dee Deakos with nearly 94 percent of the vote. And he beat former Mayor Michael Marsicano for the Democratic nomination by staging a last-minute write-in campaign, all but guaranteeing himself another term, unofficial returns showed. "The people of Hazleton want me to keep fighting for them." The Republican mayor said Democrats kept telling him they wished they could vote for him in the primary. So, about a week ago, he mailed instructions to Democratic voters on how to write in his name. Marsicano, a retired airline pilot who was Hazleton's mayor from 1996 to 1999, had appeared alone on the Democratic ballot. Barletta, a businessman who took office in 2000, proposed the Illegal Advertisement Immigration Relief Act last year after four illegal immigrants were charged with shooting and killing a man. The measure, on hold due to a legal challenge by Hispanic groups and individuals, was approved last summer and emulated by towns and cities around the nation. It would penalize landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and businesses that hire them. Barletta has been mentioned as a potential candidate for higher office, but for now he said his focus is on seeing the ordinance through. He said he was gratified by the overwhelming hometown support, particularly given that Democrats hold a 2-1 registration edge over Republicans in the city of more than 30,000. "I know I made history here as a write-in, especially in a city of this size. Also Tuesday, two Hispanic candidates lost their primary bids for two open seats on Hazleton City Council. One of the candidates, Rudy Espinal, is a plaintiff in the illegal immigrant lawsuit.
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