By Bill O’Boyle
The Times Leader
Gene Stilp, a political activist known for bringing his inflatable pink pig to protest excessive government spending, announced Monday he will seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for Congress from the newly restructured 11th Congressional District.
Republican U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta is the freshman incumbent seeking reelection.Stilp has publicly battled against utilities and legislative pay raises. A resident of Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County, the 61-year-old said the recent redrawing of congressional boundaries extended Barletta’s district into much of areas known to him: Dauphin and Cumberland counties as well as southeastern Perry County.
“My main reason for running is because I can be productive as far as producing jobs, jobs, jobs,” Stilp said. “I want to assure that nothing is taken away from the 11th District.”
“We need a strong voice in Washington,” he said. “I want to go after the abuses in Washington and focus on strengthening the economy.”
Stilp said he would encourage other candidates to enter the 11th District race. Wilkes-Barre attorney William Vinsko, who lives in the 17th District, has announced he also will seek the Democratic nomination.
Former 10 District U.S. Rep. Democrat Chris Carney of Dimock Township is also mulling a run in the 11th District.
The 11th District includes all or parts of nine counties: Wyoming, Luzerne, Carbon, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Dauphin, Perry and Cumberland.
Stilp was a leading critic of the state Legislature, opposing the 2005 pay raises. He won part of the state Supreme Court case against the method used to award the raises. He is known for bringing a 25-foot inflatable pink pig to protests.
“I think I might need a bigger pig,” he said. “Harrisburg has its problems, but Washington has a lot more.”
In 2010, Stilp lost by 314 votes when he ran in the state’s largely Republican 104th Legislative District. He also ran for lieutenant governor in 2006.
He was born and raised in the Hazleton area and graduated from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. He received his juris doctorate degree from the George Mason School of Law, Arlington, Va.
“I’ve proved my ability through my activism,” Stilp said. “I don’t look at the 11th District as red or blue – I look at it as red, white and blue. I will fight for all residents of the district, regardless of party affiliation.”
Lance Stange, campaign manager for Barletta, said anyone who meets both the ballot access requirements and the minimum qualifications spelled out in the U.S. Constitution is able to seek the office of representative.
“Lou Barletta continues to receive overwhelming support from Republicans, Democrats and Independents in both the current and future 11th District,” Stange said, noting Barletta advocates government efficiency and opposes illegal immigration. “He is grateful for that support, and he looks forward to the 2012 election.”