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Joyce Murtha endorses Critz

In the race to succeed Congressman John Murtha (D-12), Joyce Murtha has decided who she’d like to see follow her late husband.

Murtha has endorsed Mark Critz, a longtime aide to her husband who was most recently his district director. Combined with the endorsement of wealthy businessman Mark Pasquerilla, her backing indicates that John Murtha’s staunchest allies appear to be lining up behind Critz, who declared his candidacy this week.

“After reviewing all the candidates running for this seat, it is clear to me that the most qualified and knowledgeable candidate in the field is Mark Critz,” Joyce Murtha, who will be an honorary of Critz’s campaign, said in a statement early Thursday morning. “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. 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”

Earlier in the week, Pasquerilla, a registered Republican who was a Murtha supporter, told CQ Politics that “I’m going to stand with Mark because I think he’s the best legacy candidate.”

And Ed Mitchell, a longtime friend and political aide to Murtha, told Politico that Critz’s knowledge of the district is key.

“Mark has worked out of the district; he never was on the Washington staff,” Mitchell said. “His background was focused on the local needs of southwestern Pennsylvania, and that’s what the district needs a continuation of.”

February 25, 2010 at 10:00 am

--pa2010.com Staff

Tags: John Murtha, Joyce Murtha, Mark Critz, Mark Pasquerilla, PA-12

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