Dueling polls released this week showed Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D) and Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta (R) with 9-point leads, respectively, in their hotly contested northeastern Pennsylvania race.

In a survey paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Kanjorski led Barletta, 48 percent to 39 percent, with 14 percent undecided. The Grove Insight poll questioned 400 likely voters on Sept. 14-15.

“This poll shows that Pennsylvanians view Congressman Kanjorski as the best leader to address sky-rocketing gas prices and to stand up for the middle class in Congress,” DCCC spokeswoman Carrie James said.

But in an independent Franklin and Marshall College poll, Barletta led Kanjorski, 44 percent to 35 percent, among 547 registered voters. The poll, taken Sept. 9-14, had a margin of error of 4.2 points.

“The poll validates the support I’ve seen throughout the district, but the only poll that matters is Election Day,” Barletta told the Scranton Times. “I’m happy where we are right now.”