Local Democratic officials Saturday picked Mark Critz, a former top aide to the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), as their preference to be their nominee for the special election to replace Murtha on May 18.
Critz defeated former state Treasurer Barbara Hafer (D) and other Democrats in Saturday’s vote, and he is expected to be confirmed by statewide party officials later this month.
“The vote taken today is a non-binding recommendation,” said T.J. Rooney, the state Democratic chairman. “That said, the members of the Executive Committee will certainly take these results under consideration this Monday when they decide our nominee. It should be noted that the final decision rests solely with the 50 members of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party Executive Committee … We look forward to a spirited campaign confident that the good people of the 12th District will cast their votes for the Democratic nominee.”
So not quite a done deal, but pretty close. The final tally was:
- Mark Critz: 47
Barbara Hafer: 22
Ed Cernic: 14
Ryan Bucchianeri: 1
Hafer has said she’ll seek the party’s nomination for the November general election. The primary for that will be held the same day as the special (May 18), so we could wind up with a split – Critz winning the special but Hafer winning the G.E. nod. While that kind of thing does happen on occasion, it’s not terribly common, and I hope it doesn’t happen here, as I think that would make things more difficult for Dems in the fall.
UPDATE: Just what we needed! Hafer’s team is already slinging mud against Critz.
It sad to see Bucchianeri get only one vote; he seems like a very impressive guy.
Let’s be honest here Jack Murtha was a hero on the battlefield, a fighter for his district, but he wasn’t the most ethical guy in the world. I am not opposed to earmarks btw, they should be judged on a case by case basis. My question is whether Critz had a hand in any of the scandals surrounding Murtha, if he did some of the other candidates deserve serious consideration.
If Murtha hadn’t been corrupt he would and should have been Majority Leader and we all know Steny Hoyer isn’t a boy scout either.
Btw, this guy has an awesome name.
I doubt that he is dirty…it seems that Miss Hafer was really running scared and trying to slam him…and could not. I like that he isn’t a name that you see over and over on any old election…but he seems to bring both a new voice AND enough knowledge to not be lost for the first year. People don’t have time to wait for their representative to learn the names of their towns…they need them to start to work immediately. I will vote for Mr. Critz….no question in my mind.
I hope he will make a good Congressman.
one against a GOP guy (Russell or Burns) in the special, and
one against Hafer in the Dem primary.
Critz raised $100K so far (per that RollCall link)- not too bad in about 2 or 3 weeks.
I wonder if that money is for either election, or if his donations are for one race or the other.
What are Hafer and Critz’s position on a woman’s right to choose?
what happens if Hafer wins the primary and Critz the general election
find it odd that Critz doesn’t have a website set up yet. Hafer has one, and it seems that he should get moving. Although in Indiana neither Ellsworth nor Coats have a Senate campaign website set up yet. I suppose it really doesn’t matter, but I can find very little information on Critz and am curious to know more about him.
The only time we ever really get a choice is an open primary. Otherwise it is usually hold your nose in case you end up knocking the apple cart and getting someone worse elected.
Also candidates shouldn’t be given a free ride. They should be pushed and prodded to make sure they are up to snuff. To avoid the Coakley’s with clay feet or overwelming senses of entitlement.
The party insiders want Critz who may very well be the best candidate. If he has to prove it all the better. That’s the essense of democracy. And I don’t necessarily agree it has to hurtful. Both Specter and Bennett have stood taller since they got opponents. And even the weaselly Harold Ford help wake up Kirsten Gillibrand.
Now only if we could figure a way to merge Fisher and Brunner (a Fisher who is a better campaigner or a Brunner who is a better fundraiser).
While I hope Hafer tones down her attacks I see no reason why she has to stop running just because the party bosses preferred someone else.
doesn’t that mean that more democrats will show up at the polls (and vote for Critz and not a republican)
they might
It’s got a lot of not-so-subtle jabs not just at Critz but at Murtha himself, almost to the point of seeming disrespectful in my opinion.
for a seat that probably won’t exist after the 2012 elections.