HAZLETON, Pa. - Republican Mayor Lou Barletta, who gained national prominence by targeting illegal immigrants living in this city, won nomination Tuesday to a third term on the GOP ballot and also took the Democratic nomination in a write-in campaign.

Barletta faced only token opposition from GOP challenger Dee Deakos.

On the Democratic side, he received more than 1,200 write-in votes to defeat former Mayor Michael Marsicano, a retired airline pilot who led this northeastern Pennsylvania city in the late 1990s, according to unofficial returns. Marsicano received 699 votes.

May 15, 2007
by stfmcral
Associated Press

Topics:  Illegal Immigration, Mayor Lou Barletta, voters, election, Illegal Immigration Relief Act, lawsuit, Hazelton City Council, Hazelton, Pennsylvania

Barletta, a businessman who took office in 2000, proposed the Illegal 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.

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.