Among Democrats pursuing the 12th Congressional District seat, Mark Critz would not be ranked first in name recognition.
But the Johnstown man has picked up an important political supporter: Joyce Murtha, wife of the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha, has offered her endorsement and will serve as Critz’s honorary campaign chairwoman.
In other news related to the race, Republican candidate Tim Burns of Washington County announced Wednesday that Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey and Louis Galliker, chairman and president of Johnstown’s Galliker Dairy Co., are jointly chairing his campaign.
Joyce Murtha said Critz, who had worked as the late congressman’s district director, is “the most qualified and knowledgeable candidate” in the race.
“Over the past decade, Jack grew to rely on Mark’s expertise and knowledge of the district, both on the governmental and political side of the job,” Joyce Murtha said in a statement released by Critz’s campaign.
“Mark has always displayed the utmost professionalism and concern for constituents, and it is for this reason that I am declaring my full endorsement of his candidacy,” she added.
Critz, 48, had worked for 12 years in Murtha’s local office. He spent the past three-plus years as district director.
He resigned from that post Monday and, several hours later, announced that he was joining a field of six other Democrats who have said they will pursue the seat Murtha held for 36 years.
Two of those Democrats are well-known politicians statewide: Johnstown native Mark Singel, a former state senator and lieutenant governor who now runs a Harrisburg lobbying firm, and Indiana resident Barbara Hafer, who had served as Pennsylvania’s treasurer and auditor general.
However, Critz is likely to benefit from the backing of Joyce Murtha, who has decided to not enter the race as a candidate but is well-known in the community.
“Mrs. Murtha has always been well aware of my efforts on behalf of Congressman Murtha, and I don’t believe I could receive a more meaningful endorsement or find a more worthy honorary chair,” Critz said.
Also backing Critz is Johnstown businessman Mark Pasquerilla, who said Wednesday that he already had been on the phone looking to raise money for the candidate.
“I think (Critz) can get things done on a bipartisan basis,” Pasquerilla said.
“I think he has the right temperament and motivation to be the next congressman.”
Pasquerilla is a registered Republican but had been a dedicated Murtha supporter. And he said he was not interested in promoting either of the GOP candidates running in the 12th Congressional District: William Russell of Johnstown and Burns.
“I’m not impressed with the Republican candidates,” Pasquerilla said.
But the Republican Party is expected to make a spirited run for Murtha’s former seat.
Russell has campaign experience, having run against Murtha in 2008. And Burns has been campaigning since last summer.
Though Burns lives in Eighty Four, he grew up in Johnstown.
And both of those areas now are represented in his run for Congress, with the addition of Irey and Galliker.
Irey, who ran an unsuccessful campaign against Murtha in 2006, said Burns “shares my commitment to rein in federal spending and focus on real policies for job growth.”
And Galliker, in a statement issued by Burns’ campaign, said the candidate “understands the needs of our region and will bring a fresh approach to Washington.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Democrat File Photo
-
Tribune-Democrat File Photo
Discussion
12th District races: Joyce Murtha endorses Critz; Galliker, Irey to head Burns campaign
- Local News
-
-
$27.1B budget proposed
Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday proposed a budget of $27.1 billion, with no tax increases, deep cuts to higher education assistance and a range of cost-cutting in services for the poor, elderly and disabled.
-
Highlights of Gov. Corbett's state spending plan
Read on to see a bulleted list of Gov. Tom Corbett’s $27.1 billion state spending plan for the year that starts July 1.
-
Universities face steep cuts
State universities still trying to recover from deep cuts last year would have their public funding slashed even further under a budget plan unveiled Tuesday, leading some institutions to warn of a choice between maintaining buildings and offering academic programs students need to graduate.
-
Plan hurts middle class, local Democrats contend
While members of his own party praised Gov. Tom Corbett’s fiscal restraint, some local Democratic lawmakers said the Republican’s proposed budget panders to corporate interests while inflicting pain on the middle class.
-
Senate approves proposed fee on shale drilling
The state Senate voted today to impose a fee on natural-gas drilling in Pennsylvania and expand regulations for the booming industry, a milestone in a debate that has raged in the Capitol for several years.
Senators voted 31-19 to approve the 174-page bill that would fund road work and environmental clean-ups and give local governments the power to decide if the fee would be imposed on their local wells.
“Could we have done better? Supposedly, but it has taken three years to get this far,” said supporter Sen. John Wozniak, D-Johnstown, among a handful who crossed party lines. “It is time to turn the page.” -
Blogging with heart
I've got so much stuff for this Sunday's American Heart Month package, that some of the stories will spill over onto Monday. But I don't know what to leave out, or hold for the next week, so it looks like a double hit this week.
-
Pa. gas drilling fee bill debate ends without vote
Pennsylvania, the only major gas-producing state that does not tax the taking of natural gas from its soil, moved closer Tuesday to imposing a fee on the drilling in the vast Marcellus Shale reserves that have transformed the state in recent years.
-
Detour hurting some Portage businesses
Craig Mazzarese’s business depends heavily on drive-by customers, but since last week fewer drive-bys have been stopping
-
Local airport funding intact
Airport leaders here are breathing sighs of relief after Congress approved funding to support local commercial air service through 2015.
-
With state revenue tight, Westmont seeks school budget input
The Westmont Hilltop school board on Tuesday night held a public forum at the middle school to explain why the district, already one of the most efficient in the state, must raise taxes each year.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes MN, MO, CO
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
