Former Murtha aide wins Democratic committee's endorsement

Mar 9, 2010 — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Dennis B. Roddy

Mar. 9, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Former congressional aide Mark Critz on Monday won the Democratic nomination for the special election to succeed his former boss, the late U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown.

Members of the 50-member executive committee of the state Democratic Party selected Mr. Critz two days after he won a non-binding preference vote by delegates to a special meeting held to gauge party sentiment on who should replace Mr. Murtha, who died Feb. 8 after 36 years in office.

The state committee did not release a vote total.

In a statement Monday night, Mr. Critz, who worked as district director for Mr. Murtha, indicated that he will key on the economy in his bid to replace Mr. Murtha.

"In Congress I'll continue the fight to bring jobs and economic development to Western Pennsylvania because nothing is more important right now," said Mr. Critz. "I'm honored to have the State Committee's endorsement."

Republicans are scheduled to select their nominee at a Thursday night meeting at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. Vying for that nomination are Tim Burns, a businessman from Eighty Four, Washington County, and William Russell, a retired Army officer who moved to Johnstown two years ago to challenge Mr. Murtha.

In 2008, Mr. Russell gave Mr. Murtha the closest general election race of his career, holding the incumbent to 55 percent.

While the Democratic committee's decision gives Mr. Critz the nomination in the May 18 special election, he still faces declared challengers in the party primary, which will be held on the same day.

To date, former state treasurer Barbara Hafer has said she will remain in the contest, as have Ed Cernic, the Cambria County controller, and Ryan Bucchianeri, a businessman and Navy veteran from Washington County. Mr. Cernic also hails from the Johnstown area and actually outpolled Mr. Critz among Cambria delegates to the Saturday preference vote.

Among the advantages Mr. Critz will now enjoy with the party nomination in hand is assistance from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Monday night, DCCC chairman U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., praised Mr. Critz. The DCCC also is expected to help raise funds on behalf of Mr. Critz.

"Between his record as a public servant and his deep roots in the community there is no doubt that Mark is exactly the kind of leader the 12th district needs in Congress right now," Mr. Van Hollen said.

Dennis Roddy: droddy@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1965.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0159-42694556