Free Republic

In less than two weeks, voters go to the polls in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District to pick a replacement for deceased Rep. John Murtha. The polls show a close race between Democrat Mark Critz and Republican Tim Burns. As IBD noted in a story Wednesday, Critz has one possible advantage that could prove crucial: The special election falls on the same day as Pennsylvania’s primary. Democrats have competitive races for governor and the Senate. “There is an opportunity here for higher Democrat turnout

The new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll of the PA-12 special election gives Republican businessman Tim Burns the edge in the race for the House seat formerly held by the late Democratic Rep. John Murtha. The numbers: Burns 46%, with Democratic candidate and former Murtha aide Mark Critz at 40%. The sample of likely voters has a ±4% margin of error. The Democrats have held this seat since 1974, when Murtha picked it up from the Republicans in a special election held in the midst of the Watergate scandals. The special election will be held on May 18. The TPM Poll...

Many of the defense contractors that benefited from the late Rep. John Murtha's power to dole out Pentagon contracts are lining up to help elect his top aide to the seat. Defense contractors, local business officers and lobbyists that relied on earmarked federal contracts from Murtha (D-Pa.) recently chipped in $142,400 to elect Mark Critz, an analysis by The Washington Post shows. Those donations made up more than 52 percent of the individual contributions that Critz raised in the first-quarter of 2010 as he seeks to replace his late boss, new campaign records reveal. Critz is a friendly face to...

Very clever.

Video linked http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt1_lMswja0

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Associated Press) -- Pennsylvania Democrats have chosen former congressional aide Mark Critz as the nominee for a special election to fill the U.S. House seat once held by late Rep. John Murtha. Party officials cite Critz's weekend victory in a nonbinding straw poll by local party members. Chairman T.J. Rooney calls Critz "a phenomenal candidate" and says the party looks forward to a "spirited and exciting" race.