The ballot to replace Democrat John Murtha as the representative for Pa-12 in Congress has gotten longer with announcements by Murtha’s former district director Mark Critz and Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic Jr. that they will seek the seat.
They join fellow Democrats former Lt. Gov Mark Singel and former State Treasurer Barbera Hafer in the race along with Ron Mackell Jr. and 34-year-old Ryan Bucchianeri who had begun primary challenges before Murtha’s Feb. 8 death.
Meanwhile, Murtha’s widow, Joyce, has announced she will not run.
The
leading contender for the GOP nomination is Bill Russell, who was
Murtha’s opposition in 2008. GOP activist Dave Battaglia and
businessman Tim Burns were also GOP primary candidates.
There will be a special election May 18, the day of the primary election, to fill the remaining months of Murtha’s term. The election for a full two-year term, of course, is in November.