Brian Kelly is Running for Congress

Brian Kelly is one of the most fascinating candidates in the current Congressional elections. His political philosophy and his campaign style fit right into the current climate where people no longer trust their government and the Tea Party movement continues to grow and grow.

Kelly is an atypical Democrat running against an entrenched powerhouse in Democratic Congressman Paul Kanjorski. Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey O'Brien is also challenging Congressman Kanjorski for the Democratic nomination.

Interestingly, although he is a Democrat, Kelly has self-published books attacking President Obama and health care reform. He does not follow the usual campaign paradigm of raising funds and then buying mass media advertising.

Kelly believes he is of the people, for the people, and will do well representing the people because he is one of them. Kelly earns a living as a college professor and an information technology consultant.

He is a native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and he announced his candidacy in February. He planned to limit campaign spending to $10 while using his website, great ideas, and word of mouth to get elected. He ran into technical problems as the notary fees on his filing petitions to get his name on the ballot cost $150.

Kelly's stance on the issues are similar to conservative candidates and members of the Tea Party movement. He wants to replace the 2,700 page health care reform law with a simple package that will build on existing programs and expand coverage to the uninsured and to those who cannot get insurance because of pre-existing conditions.

The candidate would concentrate on economic expansion and job development. He believes this issue has practically ignored by President Obama and the leadership of the Democratic Party. Kelly has three elements to his policy to reduce unemployment. He would increase taxes on companies that outsource jobs to foreign countries, fine companies that replace American workers with illegal aliens, and reduce visas for foreign workers used by American firms.

Source: Michael Sisak, First-time candidate challenging Kanjorski, O'brien in 11th District, The Citizens Voice newspaper, April 23, 2010.