Kathy Mellott
The Tribune-Democrat
JOHNSTOWN —
Westmont resident David Critchfield was looking at both Republican and Democratic candidates for the 12th Congressional District, but what he heard Tuesday has him leaning strongly toward casting his vote for Tim Burns.
Critchfield, who described his political party affiliation as “conservative,” relocated to Johnstown from Phoenix six months ago, and at this point he is willing to put a Burns political sign in his yard.
“I’d heard a little bit about Tim Burns. I knew I liked what he stood for: Conservative values,” Critchfield said.
Critchfield was one of more than 250 people who turned out for what Cambria County Republican Chairman Rob Gleason termed a “meet-up,” a chance to hear what Burns has to say.
Burns, a Johnstown native now living in the Washington County community of Eight Four, was chosen at a convention March 11 as the Republican candidate to appear on the May 18 special-election ballot to serve the remainder of the late John Murtha’s unfinished term.
Founder of a pharmacy-technology business that created 400 jobs, Burns will face Democrat Mark Critz of Johnstown, Murtha’s former district director. Both also are candidates for the two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2011.
Gleason, of Johnstown, who also serves as chairman of the state Republican Committee, said similar rallies are being held across Pennsylvania, especially in areas with hot races, in an effort to generate support for GOP candidates.
“Citizens are concerned, upset and they’re angry,” Gleason said prior to the rally at the Richland Township fire hall, 1321 Scalp Ave.
“We started planning these before Murtha died, and now we have a real race.”
Helping to draw an enthusiastic crowd Tuesday was U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, who views the 12th district race as a bellwether for the nation, similar to the election of Republican Scott Brown to the late Rep. Ted Kennedy’s seat in Massachusetts.
“The people are mad. They don’t like the direction the country is taking, the direction the president and (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi is taking the country,” Shuster said.
The five-term congressman warned the crowd that Burns has an uphill battle against Critz because of a 62 percent Democrat edge in voter registration in the 12th district. But it is a race that a Republican can win, he said.
“The wind is at our back and the issues are on our side, and it’s going to build till May 18,” Shuster said. “It’s going to take a lot of work, but the Pa. 12th is going to send a message to the White House and Congress.”
Responding to a standing ovation by the group, Burns described himself as pro-life, pro-gun, pro-common sense and pro-business.
He described his opponent, Critz, as buying into the big tax-and-spend agenda of President Barack Obama and other Democratic leaders.
Critz’s role with Murtha included working on the proposed cap and trade legislation, Burns said.
Such legislation provides a limit, or cap, on greenhouse gas emissions. Companies may buy and sell permits within that cap to discharge such gases.
The proposed environmental policy will cripple business and drive up energy costs, opponents maintain.
Cresson resident Stephen Christy said that while he will vote Republican, he has concerns that Burns may be too young for the job.
He also expressed resentment that Burns did not wear a necktie to the informal rally.
Though Burns has earned the party endorsement to serve the remainder of Murtha’s unfinished term, another Republican, William Russell of Johnstown, remains in the running in the May 18 primary for the full two-year term in the 12th district.
