Critz vs. Burns for PA-12

[Lunar]

McCain won the district with about 1,000 votes.

[minionofmidas]

Why bother? That district will not exist in any recognizable form in 2012.

[Lunar]

Why bother? That district will not exist in any recognizable form in 2012.

I don't see how it's recognizable now.  But somebody's still going to run for the seat and the GOP should be favored to pick this up, no?

We'll need to wait a few weeks for the candidates to emerge.  You never know if some son or grandson in the Murtha clan is going to come out of the woodwork or whatevsky.

The Democrats also lost a solid-Democratic vote in the House.

[Sam Spade]

Agree with Lewis.

Al probably has enough material on this place to write a couple of books, so I'll leave it to him.

[Sewer]

It's ugly.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The district was drawn specifically for Murtha and his pork ensured that it would have been difficult to dislodge him. However the district has moved to the right along with the rest of Western PA. Also consider that according to Green Papers, Col. Bill Russell has $3 Million, I guess cash on hand, Green Papers doesn't specify. http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G10/PA

[Bo]

This district will probably be eliminated in 2012, but I think the GOP has a decent chance at picking it up, especially coming off Scott Brown's victory in MA and considering that the district narrowly voted for McCain in a very good Democratic year.

[J. J.]

GOP pickup.

I'm just wondering if there will be a special election.

On of Murtha's sons was convicted of armed robbery in the mid-80's.

My guess would be John Wozniak, a state senator, for the D's.  Possibly a state rep, Wojnaroski

There are numerous D and R candidates

[Lunar]

The winner of this district in 2010 would likely be sent to square off against which incumbent in 2012?  I guess he might get to choose.

[J. J.]

The winner of this district in 2010 would likely be sent to square off against which incumbent in 2012?  I guess he might get to choose.

It depends.  A Republican might get to keep the seat in 2012; a Democrat will probably find his district going into one of the Pittsburgh districts.

Westmoreland county has been getting increasingly Republican.  They had their first lower row officer victory in 50 years last fall.

[Beet]

The only question is how big does the GOP win by.

[Cobalt]

My guess would be that they basically combine the 12th and 18th. 

[Joe Republic]

Interesting fact:

The winner of this special election will replace a dead guy who won a special election to replace a dead guy who won a special election to replace a dead guy.

(I paid my respects to Murtha in a different thread.)

[J. J.]

Interesting fact:

The winner of this special election will replace a dead guy who won a special election to replace a dead guy who won a special election to replace a dead guy.

(I paid my respects to Murtha in a different thread.)

I'm not too sure that they will call a special election.  I think that it might be tied to the primary, and it's possible that the winner might not be nominated.

[Lunar]

Interesting fact:

The winner of this special election will replace a dead guy who won a special election to replace a dead guy who won a special election to replace a dead guy.

(I paid my respects to Murtha in a different thread.)

Yeah I'd guess that they would just hold the election on normal time in this sort of situation

[J. J.]

Interesting fact:

The winner of this special election will replace a dead guy who won a special election to replace a dead guy who won a special election to replace a dead guy.

(I paid my respects to Murtha in a different thread.)

Yeah I'd guess that they would just hold the election on normal time in this sort of situation

I'm not sure.  The primary should be more than 60 days away (late April) and they have held elections in conjunction with them.  The thing is, the party leaders pick the nominee (under a different procedure for both parties).

They might decide to let the seat open until the fall.

And, the voters will get to have a choice in the primary over who the nominee will be, in the general.

[Lunar]

Who would get to choose?  I can't imagine the Democrats want to have any election held immediately.

[J. J.]

Who would get to choose?  I can't imagine the Democrats want to have any election held immediately.

I think the Governor, Fast Eddie, does.

They may not.  The Republican nomination process is slightly more democratic (ironically) and more open; I think the Democrats use the county chairman (possibly with a weighted vote).  It would look a Democratic smoked filled room, as opposed to a democratic drama for the GOP.

The GOP state chair is from Johnstown.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Perhaps a little early to start the thread, but I'd like a Murtha-free thread to discuss the upcoming special election.  First off, when does Pennsylvania law call for the special election to be held?  Will there be primary elections?  Who might decide to run?

[rob in cal]

I believe this means one less vote for Health Care/Insurance reform for now.  I'm guessing Murtha would have been a no vote for immigration amnesty if that had ever reached the house.

[J. J.]

I think the Governor calls it, and there will be a primary for the seat in the general election.

I do not believe there will be a primary for the special election.

[J. J.]

Rendell signalling that there will be a May special election, according to CQ

It could be held at the same time as the primary.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Rendell signalling that there will be a May special election, according to CQ

That's a little soon to be openly speculating on such things in public, surely?

[J. J.]

Rendell signalling that there will be a May special election, according to CQ

That's a little soon to be openly speculating on such things in public, surely?

In public, yes.  In private, you better believe this has been discusses since about 1:15 PM this afternoon.

[Meeker]

Rendell signalling that there will be a May special election, according to CQ

That's a little soon to be openly speculating on such things in public, surely?

Personally I think it's the way Murtha would've wanted it to be.