It's not the same old 11th Congressional District.
The "old" 11th District consisted of a five-county section of northeastern Pennsylvania dominated by the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton areas and all points were practically within easy driving distance. Thanks to redistricting, the 11th has been transformed into a sprawling swath, almost 200 miles in length from northeast to southwest, comprising all or part of nine counties. A trip from Meshoppen to Shippensburg reasonably requires at least one pit stop or, for the fainthearted, perhaps even an overnight stay.
According to Lance J. Stange Jr., campaign manager for incumbent Republican Congressman Lou Barletta, approximately 60 percent of the "new" 11th District was not part of the 11th when Barletta was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.
The challenge for both Barletta and his Democratic opponent, well-known citizen activist Gene Stilp, is to gain widespread public exposure in a district whose extreme boundaries are within easy driving distance of either the New York or Maryland state line.
Stilp, who lives in Dauphin County, has argued that a series of one-on-one debates - nine in all, one in each county, Northumberland included - is the only way voters can see both candidates up close and personal. Stilp, who proposed the nine debates in August, said Barletta has not responded directly to his suggestion, although he has heard there will likely be a debate scheduled in Luzerne County, in early October.
Wilkes-Barre, the county seat, is no longer in the 11th, but Hazleton, Barletta's hometown, is.
Two debates planned
Actually, Stange said, things look good for at least two debates. WVIA-TV has one already scheduled for Nov. 1, and an announcement is expected next week about plans for a debate in Luzerne County that will be hosted by a news organization.
"Each county deserves a say," Stilp insists, noting that some citizen concerns may vary from county to county.
"That's good," Stilp said, about the likelihood that a debate will be held in Luzerne County, "but I'm still pushing for eight more. Just because the congressman is from Luzerne County doesn't mean it's the only place where a debate is held."
Stilp said he is trying to enlist the help of civic organizations to sponsor debates. He noted the League of Women Voters has expressed interest in helping to sponsor debates in Shamokin and in the Danville area.
There is no disagreement from the Barletta camp on the value of debates. "The debate format clearly provides a good way to contrast the candidates," Stange remarked. "We have responded (to the debate issue) by doing the work necessary to secure debates."
The two debates that are or will soon be scheduled are so far "double what Barletta was afforded as a candidate two years ago," Stange said. In the 2010 campaign, Barletta challenged his opponent, longtime Congressman Paul Kanjorski, to five debates.
Stange said the Barletta campaign will seriously consider any and all requests for additional debates, taking into account the congressman's schedule and "the overall benefits to the voters." The campaign hasn't ruled out the possibility of debates in other areas of the district, but so far, Stange noted, they have not received any additional debate proposals.
Stange said televised debates offer the best opportunity to reach the greatest number of voters because they are viewed by people in multiple counties. Debates are generally sponsored by media organizations or non-profit public service organizations.
Local visits
Stilp, who impressed the political world with his defeat of Wilkes-Barre attorney Bill Vinsko in the Democratic primary, could use the public exposure gained from debates. He said his campaign is being outspent by Barletta, "20 to one," and is functioning more "through heart" and commitment than resources.
Geographical and financial considerations aside, Stilp has not been invisible. His famous inflatable "pink pig," a symbol of government waste, remains a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Earlier this week, he brought an oversized wheelchair to the parking lot of the Pennsylvania State Education Association building in Plains Township, Luzerne County, to express his opposition to Medicare vouchers and privatizing Social Security. Stilp said he plans to bring the wheelchair - and that same message - to Shamokin next week, at a time and place to be announced. He is also planning a visit to the Bloomsburg Fair.
Stange said Barletta has spent as much time as possible getting to know public officials and others in the communities that are new to the 11th District. During the congressional recess, Barletta has, whenever possible, attended public events in these areas, including, locally, the Six-County Firemen's/Sesquicentennial Parade, held in Mount Carmel in early July.