[...] Hafer to run for Murtha seat… [...]

Too liberal for the 12th.

[...] Read the full story here. [...]

Jeez, is his body cold yet?

What an interesting year this will be!

While her appeal on paper is exceptional – Treasurer, Auditor General, Nurse – It will be interesting to see how both parties – the old boys network once again – will treat her.

She probably has THE best name recognition than anyone else given her previous positions. But, will others be “owed” the chance to run given their party loyalty over the years?

Then again, is party loyalty an asset or a detriment in these times? I think it is a negative.

In many respects, she has ticked off both parties equally and that is currently going to be very appealing to voters.

So, all the best to Barbara!

[...] Auditor General Barbara Hafer confirmed today that she had decided to enter the race to succeed Rep. Jack Murtha in the 12th Congressional [...]

She wont be the first democrat? Unless they mean first ONLY after Murtha has passed. Ryan Bucchianeri is also running.Thats were my vote will go for sure. Harvard Grad, Navy Vet, Young and New, free from corruption and he is a local graduation from Ringgold High School. We need jobs and stability in the 12th I think he’ll bring that.

Ryan wasn’t afraid to run against Murtha. Why would he be afraid to run against Hafer?

Sounds like there is going to be a primary.

Murtha’s funeral is tomorrow. Couldn’t she have waited until he was buried first? This shows a lot about the character of Hafer.

BTW, there was a rumor going around that Barbara is not in the 12th congressional district.

I can confirm 100% that she is in the 12th. She is in Indiana county, White Township.

Anyone suggesting she is not, is either intentionally lying or relying upon an out-of-date voter database.

Besides, we know from the Steve Welch race that the only requirement is residency in the State.

Tom
What’s the big deal?Dont think for one minute Murtha would not do it to anyone else.Some one has to fill the seat.Murtha was no peach either.

Barbara has been high profile speculation. The 12th needs a conservative dem or a moderate republican. Being from the 12th and living here for almost 30 years, Hafer brings instant name recognition and financial resources. Perfect candidate for the dems to run.

I agree. Hafer being in the race gives the dems a good chance to win the 12th. She will have bi partisan appeal and on an election based on jobs and financial reform, she couldnt run in a better environment for her background. Bucchianeri is about as much a threat to her as he was to Murtha.

Hafer could fit in well in the 12th i think. Like Murtha, shes not afraid to take a swat at someone. People from western PA like that toughness she brings to the table. With Jacks sudden passing, we need someone who is going to be an aggressive advocate for the district.

David – It is not a rumor when it is true. Hafer does not live in the 12th. Using Google Maps, it appears she lives in Country Club Estates which is located in the 9th district. The borders on this district are crazy so your mistake is an easy one to make.

She would be a breath of fresh air-a woman in Murtha’s seat. She is well qualified and she knows how to run and election. She has been shortchanged a couple of times by the party. She is owed supportfrom the party powers that be. My only concern is if she is a good fit for Murtha’s district.

[...] Will Run for Murtha's Seat PA2010 has announced that former Republican and Pennsylvania State Treasurer Barbara Hafer will run … that was occupied for 35 years by the late Jack Murtha. Hafer switched parties and became a [...]

[...] PA2010 has announced that former Republican and Pennsylvania State Treasurer Barbara Hafer will run … that was occupied for 35 years by the late Jack Murtha. Hafer switched parties and became a Democrat in 2002 after endorsing now Governor Ed Rendell for the office. [...]

When she ran in 1990 she called Bob Casey a “redneck Irishman from Scranton”.

I wonder if she’ll get any support from Bob Casey Jr.

Tyrone-
No offense (okay, some) but you don’t know your @ss from a hole in the ground on this. You can’t rely on maps, and you might not have the correct address.
I, on the other hand, have a copy of the PA State database as of Jan 25th, 2010 from the PA Dept of State. Here are the relevant fields from Barbara Hafer’s record.

From file INDIANA FVE 20100125.txt

Name: “HAFER” “BARBARA”
Party: “D”
Age: 66
Street: GREENVIEW DR, INDIANA, PA 15701
Precinct ID: “37010″
School District ID: “SC200″
Township ID: “MN37″
Magisterial District: “MD3-1″
Legislative District: “LG62″
Senate District: “SN41″
Congressional District: “CG12″
County Code: “CO32″

From file INDIANA Zone Codes 20100125.txt
“INDIANA” 1 “37010″ “WHITE 1″
“INDIANA” 3 “SC200″ “INDIANA SCHOOL DISTRICT”
“INDIANA” 4 “MN37″ “WHITE”
“INDIANA” 5 “MD3-1″ “MAGISTERIAL DIST 3-1″
“INDIANA” 6 “LG62″ “LEGISLATIVE DIST 62″
“INDIANA” 7 “SN41″ “SENATORIAL DIST 41″
“INDIANA” 8 “CG12″ “CONGRESSIONAL DIST 12″
“INDIANA” 9 “CO32″ “INDIANA COUNTY”

Pilch-

Hafer certainly supported Sen. Casey against Satorum. More so, she helped him by putting the dems prospects first and not getting into a protracted primary w Casey.

Whats more, i dont think theres any hard feelings there as bob and barb have proven team players, should be a positive draw for the dems in the 12th with strong backing.

I worked for Barbara when she was the State Treasurer and I was a Democrat and Barbara a Republican but I must say she was the best to work for. I had worked for Democrats but Barbara was the best to work for. She was fair and nice to work for. She treated me better than the Democrats did in the H of R’s

[...] Will Run for Murtha’s Seat PA2010 has announced that former Republican and Pennsylvania State Treasurer Barbara Hafer will run … that was occupied for 35 years by the late Jack Murtha. Hafer switched parties and became a [...]

I think Barbara may have a residence in the 12th, but I’m almost positive she lives in/hails from Allegheny County. At least she did when she was Treasurer.

Barbara was FROM Alleg Co. Barbara has lived for a while in the 12th.

Kevin-
We’ve got Sestak with a residence in the 7th district, but his wife and daughter really live in Virginia. Kind of like Santorum.

Who cares if she has Casey’s support? He’s a do nothing dope in the senate like he has always been. Go Barbara!

Her past administration should be investigated by the attorney general, Bonusgate is nothing compared to the giveaways bestowed upon much of the personnel.

[...] into a two-person affair between former lieutenant governor Mark Singel and former state treasurer Barbara Hafer — two longtime players in Keystone State politics. Hafer was a Republican until 2003 (and was the [...]