Republicans court anti-immigrant Pa. mayor for higher office
Associated Press

Posted Monday, July 30, 2007 at 5:13 pm
WASHINGTON — National Republicans continue to court the mayor of Hazleton, the city where a much-copied anti-illegal immigration law was struck down last week by a federal judge.

Rep. Tom Cole, the chairman of National Republican Congressional Committee, told reporters on Monday that he recently had dinner with Mayor Lou Barletta and is hopeful he’ll run for a seat in the U.S. House.

If Barletta runs, it would be one of the party’s top priority House races, Cole said during a conference call.

“I think he would be a tremendous candidate,â€