By MIKE FAHER
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.”
