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<p>HAZLETON &#8212; Former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta Thursday said he is being encouraged to run for Congress again and he hasn&#8217;t said no to the idea &#8212; yet.</p><p>Barletta, who served eight years in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, lost in his bid to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in 2018. When Barletta served, he represented the old 11th Congressional District.</p><p>Barletta said he has been contacted by several Republican Party officials, including those connected to the reelection campaign of President Donald Trump, encouraging him to run for the seat in the 8th Congressional District. That seat, which includes Hazleton City, is currently held by Democrat Matt Cartwright of Moosic.</p><p>&#8220;I have been contacted by several who would like to see me run again,&#8221; Barletta, 63, said. &#8220;I&#8217;m not ever going to close a door. Circumstances can change.&#8221;</p><p>The former Hazleton mayor said he always enjoyed public service.</p><p>&#8220;However, I am enjoying this new chapter in my life,&#8221; Barletta said. &#8220;I enjoy spending more time with my family and I have been exploring several new opportunities. But this is something that I would definitely consider. I&#8217;m not at the point where I can make a decision.&#8221;</p><p>In February, Barletta said he would not run for the recently vacated seat in the 12th Congressional District after his longtime friend and colleague Tom Marino resigned.</p><p>At that time, Barletta said he had received many calls and emails from supporters, former colleagues, and GOP leaders urging me to consider running for Marino&#8217;s seat. His comments then were similar to those made Thursday.</p><p>&#8220;I am humbled by the number of you who have reached out to me,&#8221; Barletta said in February. &#8220;However, at this time, I am enjoying spending time with my family and preparing for the next chapter of my career.&#8220;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Barletta </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_TTL102618Barletta2-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Barletta </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Barletta not ruling out 8th Congressional District run