GOP, Dems Plan to Pick Candidates for Murtha Seat

Republicans and Democrats will select their candidates for the special election to fill John Murtha’s Congressional seat in the coming weeks.
Democrats from the 12th Congressional District will convene in Delmont, Westmoreland County on March 6th to recommend a candidate for the May 18th special election.
But, as State Party Chairman TJ Rooney points out, their choice won’t be binding.

"It is, at the end of the day, the responsibility of the executive committee. And members of the executive committee will receive and weigh information from a myriad of sources, including polling that’s been done in the district."

Rooney says Democratic party officials will make the final decision on March 8th.
A few days later, Republicans will convene in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, to select their candidate. Republican spokesman Michael Barley says the GOP conference will be made up of representatives selected by county parties.

"Their county party bylaws dictate. They do not need to be committee members at all. It’s up to the counties. Different counties have different ways of selecting conferees. Some, the county chair selects them. The only requirement we have is that they’re Republicans living in the district."

Unlike the Democrats, that session’s pick will be final.
When voting to fill Murtha’s seat May 18, 12th District residents will also select general election nominees for the next Congressional term.
Rooney says Democrats will try to make sure they have the same candidate in each race.
Republican spokesman Mike Barley says it’s too early to know whether the GOP will do the same.

Race for Murtha Seat Less Cloudy

The widow of Congressman John Murtha says she will not try to step into her husband’s shoes. Joyce Murtha says she will not run in the race to fill his unexpired term. John Murtha died February 8th from complications following gallbladder surgery. He was 77. Among those who have said they are interested is former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel. Also running is former Pennsylvanian Treasurer Barbara Hafer and Cambria County Controller Mark Singel. The governor has chosen May 18th. Tat is also Pennsylvania’s primary day. That means there will be two elections involving Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district on primary day, one to fill the unexpired term and a vote among democrats and republicans to choose a party nominee to run for a full term in November. The parties get to choose a candidate for the unexpired term. It is unclear when Democrats will choose that but Republicans say they will meet March 11 in Latrobe to choose their candidate. The party says anyone wanting to run will be given a chance to address the conference before members take a vote.

Former Murtha Opponent to Run Again

Republican William Russell, who lost to Congressman John Murtha in the 2008 November election, says he will seek the GOP nomination in the special election to fill the vacancy left by Murtha's death this month.
Russell, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, was already a candidate in the May Republican Primary for the 12th Congressional District seat..."Since the governor has announced that the Special Election will be held on Primary day, May 18th, it makes perfect sense to also be a candidate in the special election. It's a move that makes sense for the voters and will simplify the process for the thousands of my supporters."

The Republican Party will choose the nominee for the special election.

Singel to Seek Murtha's Seat

Former Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel has announced he will seek the 12th Congressional District seat vacated by the death this month of U.S. Representative John Murtha of Johnstown. Singel says he is a candidate in both the special election to serve out Murtha's current term and the primary election for the Democratic nomination. The Democratic Party will select the nominee for the special election which will be held at the same time as the primary, May 18th.
Singel, who was a state senator for 6 years and served as lieutenant governor from 1987-95, called Murtha a friend and mentor..."First and foremost, it is critical that the work begun by Congressman Murtha be continued. This requires someone who understands the legislative process and has an ability to hit the ground running."
Singel said Democrats cannot afford to lose this seat..."the people are restless. They do not believe anyone is really on their side. It's time for us to stop yelling at each other and start listening to each other."
Singel is founder of the Winter Group, a government relations firm.

Former Pennsylvania Auditor General and Treasurer Barbara Hafer has also expressed interest in the vacant Congressional seat. But Hafer has said that she would not run if John Murtha's widow, Joyce seeks the seat.
The Democratic Party will choose the nominee for the special election May 18th to serve out the final 7 months of Murtha's term.

Date Set for 12th Dist. Election

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has set May 18th as the day voters in the state’s 12th district will choose a replacement for congressman John Murtha. That is the same day as the Pennsylvania primary. That means voters will be asked to cast two ballots for the seat. One would be to choose a person to fulfill the unexpired term and the other would be to choose party representatives for the general election in November. The democratic and Republican parities will choose the candidates in the race for the unexpired term. State Law gave the governor 10 days from Murtha’s death to pick a date that was no less than 60 days in the future. Murtha died Feb. 8 following complications from gallbladder surgery. He was 77 years old.

John Murtha Laid To Rest

U.S.Representative John Murtha's funeral service was held Tuesday morning at Westmont Presbyterian Church just outside of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, his hometown. He represented the area since 1974.

Among those in the packed church were Former President Bill Clinton, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who led a Congressional delegation of fifty. She spoke of his years of service, his support of veterans and scientific research and the twinkle in his eye. His daughter Donna Murtha delivered a tearful eulogy where she spoke of her father's love of family and his love of nature. Rev. Douglas Stevens said Murtha showed the same courage in his work as he did on the battlefield.

Murtha died on February 8 after complications from gallbladder surgery. He was 77 years old.

He was the head of the House appropriations defense committee, the first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress, the longest serving member of the House in Pennsylvania history. He was an outspoken critic of the Iraq war.

Murtha to be Laid to Rest Tuesday

Funeral and visitation details are being finalized for the late Congressman John Murtha. Murtha passed away this week while being treated for complications following gallbladder surgery. He was 77. A visitation will be held at the Frank Duca Funeral Home in Murtha’s hometown of Westmont. (1622 Menoher Blvd. 15905) Sunday and Monday. Hours for the visitation have not yet been finalized. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 Tuesday at Westmont Presbyterian Church. (601 Luzerne St. 15905) The funeral service will be closed to the public but citizens are welcome at the viewing. Murtha will be laid to rest at the Grandview Cemetery in Westmont. Congressman Murtha became the longest serving congressman from Pennsylvania just days before his death. He was first elected in 1974.

Outpouring of Reaction to Murth's Death

The outpouring of grief and remembrances continues following the death of Congressman John Murtha of Johnstown. The 77-year-old Democrat died yesterday while being treated for complications from gallbladder surgery. Cambria County Democrat Committee Chair Helen Whiteford says she was shocked by Murtha’s death and he will be missed not only by Johnstown but also by the entire district. She praised Murtha for his ability to bring money back to the region. Whiteford worked on Murtha’s first campaign in 1974. Last Saturday Murtha became the longest serving member of congress from Pennsylvania. She says over the years he has weathered many attacks and has come through each one of them. She predicts he would have done the same with recent allegations of misconduct over sending defense contracts to friends and family members.

Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair T.J Rooney says he was shocked and surprised when he learned of the death of John Murtha. He says he had just been told over the weekend that he was “on the mend.” Rooney says Murtha was a “legislative titan” and the best there ever was at bringing money back to his district. Rooney praised Murtha for being the “epitome of a gentleman.” He says Murtha could go toe to toe with you over a piece of legislation during the day and then break bread with you at night. He says that is becoming increasingly rare in politics. Rooney says, “this is not just a loss for Johnstown; this is a loss for all of Pennsylvania.”

State Senator John Wozniak of Cambria County says the death of Congressman John Murtha comes as a terrible shock. He says, ”He was a very good friend, a mentor, I’ve known him since I was in high school.” Wozniak says he, “can’t imagine a world without the Congressman,” and all of what he’s done for the people of Western Pennsylvania, the state and the nation. Wozniak says that when the steel industry began to decline, Murtha went to work to help diversify the economy and bring jobs and investment to the region in infrastructure and the private sector. Wozniak says no member of Congress or the Senate more on the side of the soldier to make sure they have what they need on the battlefield.

PA Governor Ed Rendell:
"Pennsylvania has lost one of its greatest citizens. Congressman Murtha impacted the entire state, not just his congressional district, in ways that almost no individual has. He was also the best friend and supporter of our military and the men and women who risk their lives for our country. He worked tirelessly to ensure that our military had the resources it needed to do its job effectively. The governor Rendell ordered all Pennsylvania and U.S. flags across the commonwealth to be flown at half-staff through interment.

U.S. Senator Arlen Specter:
“I am deeply saddened to lose my dear friend and colleague Jack Murtha. He was a public servant in every sense of the word and his passing is a great loss to all of Pennsylvania. Joan and my thoughts are with his wife, Joyce, and their children.”

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato:
“Congressman Murtha was tremendously dedicated to his constituents, and he always fought for them and for what he believed in. His service to our country on the battlefield and in the U.S. House of Representatives was truly inspiring. Our Commonwealth has lost a great man and a great public servant. He will be deeply missed.”

Congressman Chaka Fattah of Philadelphia:
"Chairman Murtha will be remembered as a man who was not just Congressman from Johnstown, he was the Congressman for Philadelphia, the Congressman for Pittsburgh, for Allentown, for every corner of our Commonwealth. He really carried the weight of Pennsylvania on his shoulders. In Congress, he always sat in the same chair and he always had the same disposition: Pennsylvania first. Congressman Murtha, I believe, will be best remembered as the first serious hawk to stand up and call for our withdrawal from Iraq. As a former Marine - he would say 'always a Marine' - Jack Murtha's courageous stand marked a turning point in America's involvement in that ill-advised war.”

William Russell, Republican Candidate for the 12th Dist:
“While Mr. Murtha and I were political combatants in every sense, our family and campaign team asks you to keep the Murtha family in your thoughts and prayers. Regardless of your political position, you always knew Jack had an immense love and loyalty to his family and the residents of the 12th Congressional District.”

"Heart and Soul" of Johnstown Dies

Pennsylvania's longest serving member of Congress is dead. John P. "Jack" Murtha died this afternoon at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington Virginia of complications following gallbladder surgery January 28.
A former Marine, Murtha was the first Vietnam War combat veteran to be elected to Congress. He won a special election in February 1974.
Murtha was particularly effective in bringing appropriations and federal investments back to his home of Johnstown especially contracts with the defense industry.
Johnstown Mayor Tom Trigona, who knew Murtha from when he first ran for Congress called it "a very sad day....a tragedy for the area....he was the heart and soul of Johnstown for a long time."
Trigona says that no one is irreplaceable but in the nation's system of seniority "that statement might not be true when it comes to Murtha.........it will be very difficult to replace him."
Trigona says he saw Murtha just last month at the Congressman's annual reception for incoming cadets to the military academies and that his (Trigona's) grandson was so impressed that Murtha took time to take a photo with him and urged his grandson to keep up his grades so that he (Murtha) might be able to help him enter the academy.

Murtha Dead at 77

Congressman John P. Murtha of Johnstown died today at 1:18 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA. The 77-year old became Pennsylvania's longest serving member of Congress Saturday, February 6th. A spokesperson for the Congressman says his family was at his bedside when he died. Murtha was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in February of 1974. Murtha was in the hospital being treated for complications from gallbladder surgery.

Questions Raised at Defense Contractor Show

A Pennsylania defense contractor to whom Congressman John Murtha of Johnstown had directed millions of dollars in "earmarks," has been blocked from doing business with the Navy amid allegations of fraud. Word of the suspension came during Murtha's 19th annual defense contractor trade show in Johnstown. At a brief news conference, Murth rebuffed questions about the suspension of Kuchera Defense Systems. That Windber firm and its officials have contributed $60,000 to Murtha's campaigns and political action committee since 2002. When asked about Kuchera, Murtha responded "What do you think, I oversee these companies?"
Federal investigators raided the offices and homes of the comapany owners Ron and Bill Kuchera in January.
At today's trade show, Murtha announced that $110 million in defense contracts had been awarded to three area firms. C-T-C received 2 contracts totalling $66 million for a Marine Corps data program and for services to the Department of Defense; JWD Defense Systems got a $24 million contract to assemble military vehicles; and, Martin-Baker America received a $20 million dollar deal for ejection seats for the Air Force.