Former Murtha Chief Of Staff Nominated To Run In Special Election

Pennsylvania Democrats have selected their candidate in the special election for the House seat formerly held by the late Rep. John Murtha (D), the state party announced in a press release, choosing former Murtha chief of staff Mark Critz.

The Republican candidate will be selected Thursday night. The district was carried in 2008 by John McCain -- the only district in the country to switch from the Democratic column in 2004 to the Republicans in 2008 for the presidential vote, after having been carried 51%-48% by John Kerry.

The special election will be held on May 18, the same date as the statewide primary elections -- a factor that could potentially boost the Dems to hold the seat, as there are more contested primary races on the Democratic side than for the Republicans.