Hazleton, PA – Hazleton Mayor and 11th Congressional District Candidate Lou Barletta was named a “Young Gun” by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

This is the top tier a challenging candidate can reach in the 2010 congressional race. By advancing to the program’s top tier, Barletta has proven his ability to build a winning campaign and achieve substantial fundraising goals, said Tory Mazzola, NRCC spokesman.

“Lou Barletta has proven that he is ready to put this seat back in the Republican column,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Lou’s campaign is a symbol of the growing momentum behind Republican candidacies both in Pennsylvania and across the country. As Democrats and their party bosses continue to push their big-government, big-spending policies onto the backs of hard-working families, Republicans like Lou Barletta will continue to present a clear alternative to a Democrat majority that continues to spend too much, borrow too much and tax too much.”

The NRCC lauded Mayor Barletta’s “proven track record of serving Pennsylvanians’ best interests as mayor of Hazleton,” his “tough but prudent financial decisions that earned statewide praise,” and his service on the United Nations Advisory Committee on Local Authorities.

“This will be a huge boost to our fundraising effort. It is an indication that the leadership of the national committee has recognized the strength of our campaign and the growing sense that we will win in November. I am grateful for the recognition, but I know there is a great deal of work to be done before the General Election,” Mayor Barletta said.

Founded in the 2007-08 election cycle by U.S. Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the Young Guns program is a member-driven organization dedicated to electing open-seat and challenger candidates nationwide.

Mazzola said the Young Gun status shows that Mayor Barletta “is one of the best candidates in the country.”