Congressman John Murtha (D-Pa12) died today at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. He was 77 and had represented his district since 1974.
Murtha’s gallbladder was removed Jan. 28 in what was considered a routine laparoscopic procedure at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. An infection developed, however, and on Feb. 1 he was moved to the intensive care unit at the Virginia Hospital Center.
Murtha, the first Vietnam veteran to be elected to congress, was Pennsylvania longest serving congressman and was seeking to win a 20th term this November. He chaired the House Subcommittee on Defense.
His district is the only one in the nation that voted for Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
Gov. Rendell is expected to call a special election to fill the seat. Murtha had challengers —Ron Mackell Jr. and 34-year-old Ryan Bucchianeri — in the May 18 Democratic Primary.
The leading contender for the GOP nomination is Bill Russell, who was Murtha’s opposition in 2008. He faces GOP activist Dave Battaglia and businessman Tim Burns.