Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., announced Tuesday he would challenge incumbent Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., for his Senate seat next year.
“After talking to Mary Grace and our family, many people across Pennsylvania and saying a few prayers, I’ve decided to run for the United States Senate,” Barletta said in a video released on Twitter.
“I don’t see running for the Senate to represent Pennsylvania as an opportunity, I see it as a responsibility,” Barletta said at the end of the 20-second clip.
Im in! #Lou4Senate. See the full video here – https://t.co/lznF855Erm pic.twitter.com/02q4x3pI1p— Lou Barletta (@loubarletta) August 29, 2017
Barletta, 61, became well known in 2016 as one of the first House members to endorse President Trump’s campaign. He went on to endorse Trump throughout the state, and was floated as a possible Labor secretary in the Trump administration.
He is also well known for his hardline stance against illegal immigration. Prior to winning his House seat in 2010 and his two congressional losses in 2006 and 2008, he was the mayor of Hazleton and became the center of national attention after he made English the official language of the Northeast Pennsylvania city.
Casey is seeking his third term and is one of 10 Democratic incumbents running for re-election in states won by Trump in November.
