Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta (R) has released an internal poll showing he has pulled further ahead of Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D) in their rematch race from 2002 in northeastern Pennsylvania.

In the Susquehanna Polling and Research survey, Barletta led Kanjorski, 47 percent to 39 percent, with 11 percent undecided. The survey, taken Oct. 2, questioned 400 likely voters and had a margin of error of 4.9 points.

Barletta’s lead has increased from a similar poll on Sept. 22, which gave the Republican a 4-point lead over the longtime Congressman.

In the memo from the latest survey, 41 percent of respondents said they had a favorable impression of Kanjorski, versus 39 percent who said they had an unfavorable opinion of him. Only 32 percent of respondents said they think Kanjorski deserves re-election.

Kanjorski, who has been in office for 12 terms, is arguably the most vulnerable Democrat in Congress, according to public surveys. In this poll, Barletta had a 46 percent favorable rating among respondents and 28 percent unfavorable.

Barletta became nationally recognized for enacting anti-immigration ordinances in his small northeastern Pennsylvania town. The survey also showed Barletta was known by 96 percent of respondents — almost even with Kanjorski’s 97 percent name recognition score in the poll.