U.S. Rep. John Murtha on Tuesday announced his endorsement of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saying she is “best qualified to lead our nation.”
The Johnstown Democrat’s announcement comes as both Clinton and Democratic front-runner Barack Obama set up shop in Pennsylvania in preparation for the state’s important April 22 primary.
“I’ve known Sen. Clinton for 15 years,” Murtha said in a statement released by his campaign committee.
“I know that she continually reaches out for opinions and ideas, not just from our nation’s leaders, but from all Americans.”
Murtha is one of the most powerful Democrats in the House, and his endorsement could carry weight in the 12th Congressional District, where he has served for 34 years.
His backing carries added importance this year because he is a “superdelegate” – a party official who is free to support any candidate at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Because the race between Clinton and Obama is so close, some speculate that superdelegates may play an important role in deciding the party’s nominee.
Clinton said in a release Tuesday night that she is pleased with Murtha’s endorsement.
“I am honored to have the support of a leader as strong, well-respected and experienced as Congressman John Murtha,” Clinton said. “I have known John for years, and he is a fighter and a man of principle who has unmatched credibility on matters vital to our national security.”
Last month, Murtha said he would not choose sides in the race and pledged to be “very careful in my evaluation of both candidates.”
In Tuesday’s statement, Murtha offered a glowing endorsement of Clinton.
“In 10 months, President Bush will leave office. Our country is worse off today than when he took office over seven years ago,” Murtha said. “Senator Clinton is the candidate that will forge a consensus on health care, education, the economy and the war in Iraq.”
Local News
Murtha backing Hillary Clinton
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-






