PA-12

Democrats Win Special Election In PA-12

Christina Bellantoni | May 18, 2010, 10:32PM

Rep-elect Mark Critz (D-PA)

Mark Critz (D-PA) appeared to narrowly win a special election today to fill the late Rep. John Murtha's seat, a victory the Democrats believe means the fall midterm elections might not be so bad after all. He'll be quickly seated by House leadership once results are finalized.

Critz was leading Republican Tim Burns with 53 percent of the vote to Burns' 45 percent and 70 percent of precincts reporting, and Burns conceded the race around 10:30 p.m. In an unusual twist, both candidates are aiming to be on the November ballot. Critz was on track to prevail in a party primary to be the nominee in the general election, and if Burns' lead for his primary holds steady, these two candidates will be matched up again in November.

The Dem turnout was boosted by a competitive Senate primary between Sen. Arlen Specter and Rep. Joe Sestak, one reason the majority party had been sounding quite confident about the race for several days. Critz was fueled as well by labor activists and Democratic volunteers who made calls and knocked on doors for weeks to help keep the seat. Former President Bill Clinton stumped for Critz over the weekend.

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PA-12

What To Watch For In Tonight's PA-12 Special Election

Eric Kleefeld | May 18, 2010, 6:19PM

PA-12 House candidates Mark Critz (D) and Tim Burns (R)

The two candidates vying for the late John Murtha's set have been battling in a race that's been neck and neck for the last two months. So it's no surprise this race is going to depend on voter turnout -- which is lower today because of the rain -- and where the parties can get their supporters out.

Terry Madonna, the well-known political analyst at Franklin & Marshall College told us that for Critz to win, he will need a big margin in the Democratic strongholds of Cambria County, particularly in the Johnstown area, and in Westmoreland county, particular in the New Kensington area.

PA-12

As Clock Winds Down, Money Flows Into Race For Murtha's House Seat

Eric Kleefeld | May 13, 2010, 1:44PM

PA-12 House candidates Mark Critz (D) and Tim Burns (R)

Along with the high-profile Senate primaries this Tuesday, another race to watch will be the PA-12 special election, for the Johnstown-area House seat formerly held by the late Democratic Rep. John Murtha. Democratic candidate Mark Critz, a former Murtha aide, and businessman Tim Burns are fighting it out for the swing seat -- and a lot of money has been spent along the way.

In the most recent federal filings, the National Republican Congressional Committee has spent a total of nearly $960,000 on the race, including a $230,000 expenditure in the last few days. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has spent $937,000, including $291,000 in the last few days. The candidates have also raised a lot of money, and spent the majority of it so far: Burns has raised a total of $1.18 million, including $380,000 of his own money, and Critz has raised about $784,000.

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PA-12

Poll: Dem Candidate Starts With Narrow Lead For Murtha's Former House Seat

Eric Kleefeld | March 18, 2010, 1:27PM

PA-12 House candidates Mark Critz (D) and Tim Burns (R)

The new Susquehanna (R) poll of the special election for Pennsylvania's 12th District, formerly held by the late Democratic Rep. John Murtha, shows an initial lead for the Democratic candidate, but with very high undecideds.

The numbers: Mark Critz, a former Murtha chief of staff, 36%, businessman Tim Burns 31%.

The district is a swing seat, having voted for John McCain by a margin of less than one point in 2008 -- and it was the only district in the country to switch from John Kerry in 2004, who had a 51%-48% margin, to McCain in 2008. One factor that could help Democrats is that the special election will be held on May 18, the same day as the statewide primaries. There are more contested Democratic races than Republican ones that day, and this could potentially boost Democratic turnout for Critz.

PA-12

GOP To Pick Candidate For Murtha House Seat Tonight

Eric Kleefeld | March 11, 2010, 2:41PM

PA-12 Republican candidates Tim Burns and Bill Russell

Pennsylvania Republicans will be picking their candidate tonight to run in the May 18 special election for the House seat previously held by the late Democratic Rep. John Murtha.

The two leading candidates are businessman Tim Burns, and Retired Air Force Colonel Bill Russell, who was also the nominee against Murtha in 2008. The two of them will not be competing in a primary, but instead will fight for the nomination through an internal party process, explained to us by Pennsylvania GOP executive director Luke Bernstein.

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John Murtha

Former Murtha Chief Of Staff Nominated To Run In Special Election

Eric Kleefeld | March 8, 2010, 6:31PM

The late Rep. John Murtha (D-PA)

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.

Health Care

Four Empty House Seats Mean Pelosi Only Needs 216 Votes to Pass Health Care

Brian Beutler | March 1, 2010, 11:03AM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

Most of the time, the magic number for passing significant legislation in the House is 218--a simple majority of the lower chambers' 435 members. So that's the number House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is looking at to pass the Senate health care bill, right? Try 216.

Come March 8, when Rep. Nathan Deal's (R-GA) resignation goes into effect--and barring any surprises--there will be four vacancies in the U.S. House: Deal's seat, along with the seats of retired Reps. Robert Wexler (D-FL) and Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), and deceased Rep. John Murtha (D-PA).

The four empty seats brings the number of serving House members down to 431. Which means that--if everybody's present and voting, a health care bill can pass the House on a paper-thin 216-215 margin. That may sound like good news for Pelosi--and in some ways it is. But recall that all three of those Democrats--Wexler, Abercrombie, and Murtha--were "yes" votes. She needs two fewer votes than she'd need if the House was fully seated. But she's lost three.

Norm Dicks

Hoyer: Dicks Likely To Replace Murtha As Defense Approp. Chair

Rachel Slajda | February 9, 2010, 6:16PM

Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA)

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said today he expects Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) to take over the chairmanship of the Appropriations subcommittee on defense, which was held by the late Rep. John Murtha (D-PA).

"I think he will be able to fill that role," Hoyer said, according to Roll Call.

Dicks is the next ranking member on the subcommittee. He is also the chair of the subcommittee on interior appropriations, on which he has served since he became a Congressman in 1977.

Dicks is "an extraordinarily able Member of Congress," Hoyer said.

John Murtha

Murtha's Death Triggers Special Election In Swing District

Eric Kleefeld | February 9, 2010, 11:29AM

The late Rep. John Murtha (D-PA)

The passing of Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) has triggered a special election that could have national implications for both parties.

Murtha's district is a swing seat, in general terms. It always returned Murtha by comfortable margins, but underneath that were some close races. John Kerry carried it with 51% in 2004, but it gave John McCain a very narrow 49% plurality in 2008 -- the only district in the whole country to actually cross the line from Kerry in 2004 to McCain in 2008.

Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell has 10 days to select a date for the election, which could occur at the same time as the regular Pennsylvania primary, May 18, in order to save the substantial money that a separate election would require. Under Pennsylvania laws, there would not be primaries for the special election -- instead, the parties would select candidates through their own internal processes. Whoever wins the special election would then face the voters again in the regular 2010 general election.

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John Murtha

Murtha's Office Denies Retirement Speculation, After Requesting What-If Memo From DCCC

Eric Kleefeld | December 17, 2009, 11:23AM

Rep. John Murtha (D-PA).

Rep. John Murtha's (D-PA) office is shooting down a rumor that the long-time Congressman could retire in 2010 -- despite having asked the DCCC for a memo on how his war-chest could legally be spent if he were to do so.

The request to the DCCC was made in late October, The Hill reports. Murtha spokesman Matthew Mazonkey responded to the news: "Congressman Murtha is not retiring and looks forward to winning reelection to a 20th term in 2010."

Murtha's office and the DCCC both told The Hill that the memo was obtained in response to an inquiry by one of Murtha's constituents, who worried that retiring members of Congress might be able to put campaign money to personal use. The Hill points out that this explanation "seemed strained to some observers," since his office could have easily informed a constituent that this would be illegal.

If Murtha were to retire, it could present a headache to Democrats. His district narrowly voted for John McCain in 2008 -- the only Congressional district in the whole country to switch from John Kerry in 2004 to the Republican column in 2008.