Make that three Republicans who are vying to oppose freshman Democratic Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper in northwestern Pennsylvania’s 3rd District, in and around Erie.

John Onorato, a former Erie County solicitor who is general counsel for the Manufacturer and Business Association, confirmed to CQ Politics on Monday that he will be a candidate in 2010.

Onorato will be vying for the Republican nomination next May along with businessman Paul Huber and Elaine Surma, a senior narcotics agent in the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office. Other Republicans may enter the race.