HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – President Donald Trump is encouraging Republican U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta to challenge Pennsylvania’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in next year’s election, a Barletta campaign consultant said Wednesday.
Trump spoke to Barletta about running during a conversation earlier this week, consultant John Brabender said. Barletta, a prominent Trump supporter in Congress, would quickly become the most recognizable name in a field of a half-dozen would-be challengers to Casey, the 56-year-old son of a late ex-governor and a fierce critic of Trump.
Others in Trump’s circle, including David Bossie, Trump’s former deputy campaign manager, have also encouraged Barletta to consider running.
Barletta has supported Trump-backed legislation to overhaul the American health care system and introduced a bill to fund the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border in an effort to help Trump fulfill a key campaign promise.
Barletta did not respond to an interview request, but he issued a statement through his office that did not mention Trump: “I am being encouraged to run for U.S. Senate and will continue to have conversations with my family to determine my next steps.”