Posted on 06/24/2009 8:35:08 AM PDT by Sathya
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Challenger asks Murtha to return donations By MICHELLE GANASSI Daily American Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:50 PM EDT JOHNSTOWN — Republican businessman Tim Burns delivered a letter to Rep. John Murtha’s office Tuesday, asking the longtime congressman to return campaign donations from Kuchera representatives.
Burns, 41, of Eighty Four has announced he will seek the Republican nomination for the 12th Congressional District seat in 2010.
He said Kuchera Industries employees and family members have donated $68,300 to Murtha’s campaign.
Kuchera, a Windber defense contractor, was raided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service in January. Earlier this month, The Associated Press reported that Kuchera owner William Kuchera was convicted of marijuana distribution in Wisconsin in 1982. Burns said he was “troubled” by the investigations and Kuchera’s criminal record.
If Murtha doesn’t return the money, Burns asked him to donate the funds to charitable organizations in the 12th Congressional District.
“I’m not saying Congressman Murtha did anything wrong or illegal,” Burns said outside Murtha’s office. “He is able to raise millions of contributions for his campaign. I don’t think it is unreasonable.”
Matthew Mazonkey, Murtha’s spokesman, said the letter is insulting to Kuchera employees.
“I realize that Tim Burns is inexperienced, but insulting 300 local workers and their families probably isn’t the best way to introduce himself to Somerset County,” he said.
Kent Gates, Burns spokesman, said Burns did not insult the workers, but would like Murtha to take a step to restore public trust.
“Congressman Murtha is right: Tim Burns is inexperienced in taking contributions from felons, arranging no-bid contracts for his relatives and using taxpayers’ money to help build shrines to himself,” Gates said.
Burns, who admits he never had political aspirations, said he decided to run for office once he saw the country heading in a direction that he said will leave his children’s generation with debt. He said President Bush’s last term left a record deficit, and the new administration has increased spending by $2 trillion.
“If you spent $1 a second, it would take 32 years to spend a billion,” he said.
Before Burns can challenge Murtha, he has to win the Republican nomination. Bill Russell, who ran against Murtha last year, announced he will run for the Republican nod again.
“Will is a nice guy,” Burns said. “He moved to the district to run against Murtha when the Republicans didn’t have a candidate. I appreciate that.”
Russell did not return a telephone call seeking comment Tuesday.
Burns said he is a different kind of candidate. He grew up in Johnstown and graduated from Johnstown High School in 1986. He attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained a degree in computer science in 1990.
After college he started a pharmaceutical software company in his basement. His company, TechRx Inc., became the No. 1 provider of software to pharmaceutical companies and employed more than 400 people. He sold the company in 2003 to NDCHealth of Atlanta.
Burns said his small-business sense makes him the best candidate for the 12th District.
“I understand what it means to make a payroll,” he said.
Republican nominees in the last two elections — Russell and Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey — were unsuccessful in their efforts to unseat the veteran congressman.
“Times have changed,” Burns said. “There is momentum across the country to make some real changes. A lot of people view John Murtha as being part of the problem.”
Burns has two children: Brock Christian, 13, and Trent Matthew, 11.
(Michelle Ganassi can be reached at michelleg@dailyamerican.com. Comment on this story online at dailyamerican.com.)
“Murtha issued the following statement: ‘MINE!! MINEMINEMINE!!!!’”
Just disgusting.
Colonel, USAFR
“William Kuchera was convicted of marijuana distribution”
Murtha and Kuchera sit around smoking marijuana trying to figure out where to spend all that EARMARK $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Congressman, pass the bong!!
Congressman, can my third cousin in another state still donate the maximum to you if I do not get caught repaying her donation?? ha ha ha
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