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Sizing up special election contenders in the 12th
It had only been a few hours since Congressman John Murtha (D-12) passed away Monday. But political circles were already buzzing with the names of possible contenders for the special election to serve out his term, likely to be held on primary day in May.
After calling around the state, pa2010.com has identified some candidates whose names are swirling around with the most intensity.
A caveat: We’ve purposely excluded the candidates already in the race. This is not to say they’re toast, by any means. But their campaigns were centered around unseating Murtha, and with the political climate shifting underneath them, it remains to be seen if and how they’ll stay in the picture.
Mark Singel (D)
No one we spoke to hung up the phone before mentioning the former Lieutenant Governor under the elder Bob Casey. Singel was born in Murtha’s Johnstown, is an experienced and disciplined campaigner and knows what it takes to raise money in a competitive race. He even served briefly as acting governor when Casey was sick in late 1993. There’s no indication yet whether Singel has any remote interest in this, but word was that Democratic leaders in Washington were salivating at the prospect of his candidacy.
Dave Reed (R)
If nothing else, the four-term state Representative from Indiana County would be a relatively fresh face in a district that hasn’t seen one in years. Reed, who’s turning 32 next month, became the youngest member of the House when he unseated Sara Steelman. He’s been seen as a hard-worker and a rising star in the Republican Caucus.
John Wozniak (D)
The longtime state Senator would come with pretty high name recognition and that important Johnstown base. The big question is if so many years in Harrisburg would hurt him in such an anti-establishment climate. He was first elected to the state House in 1980, and has served in the state Senate since winning the 35th District in 1996.
Jeff Pyle (R)
This state Representative could bring some claim a wide array of experience, after also serving as mayor of Ford City. He’s currently serving his third term in a district that includes parts of Indiana and Armstrong counties.
Correction: This article originally misstated the year in which John Wozniak was elected to the state House. It was 1980, not 1990.
February 8, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Tags: Dave Reed, Jeff Pyle, John Murtha, John Wozniak, Mark Single, PA-12
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flynnbw
Feb 8th, 2010
Wow — Mark Singel is a name I haven’t heard in a while …
anon
Feb 8th, 2010
Wozniak is a Democrat not a Republican…would also consider candidates from SW PA as the true base of the district is Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.
Diane Irey (R)
Tim Mahoney (D)
Rich Kasunic (D)
Are just a few that come to mind!
John Murtha dies… | GrassrootsPA
Feb 8th, 2010
[...] Singel, Wozniak, Pyle, Reed mentioned as possible candidates… [...]
gophawk
Feb 8th, 2010
Another name is Mark Pasquerilla, a local captain of industry with deep pockets and deep connections to the Johnstown end of the district. He is a Republican who is an integral part of the public-private partnership strategy that has been so crucical to the revival of the District economy. As a self-funder and a large community investor, he could be a dark horse emerging to challenge the status quo.
Frank
Feb 8th, 2010
Wow, the guy’s body isn’t even cold yet and everyone is already talking about potential replacements. I’m in Murtha’s district and by no means a fan at all, but there is still something called respect. This is why people get turned off by politics. It’s all a numbers game..get more people with “R” or “D” after their name than the others and you win. How pathetic.
Paul
Feb 8th, 2010
This article is in such poor taste that I’m ashamed to read this blog. Give it three days, for the love of God.
Shuffles
Feb 8th, 2010
I’m intesrested to know what people think about Rep. Harhei or Barbara Hafer (she lives in Indiana now). The district is very disjointed without a strong geographical base bc Murtha was strong all over SWPA, but Hafer has run statewide and has the name rec many local candidates don’t have.
who?
Feb 8th, 2010
Pyle would have to sober up long enough to campaign.
David Diano
Feb 8th, 2010
I think for completeness, the contenders already in the race should be listed, and labeled appropriately.
gakski
Feb 9th, 2010
Wozniak was elected to the State House in 1980, not 1990.
More on PA-12 special election - Early Returns - post-gazette.com
Feb 9th, 2010
[...] Pa2010 says former Dem Lt. Gov. Mark Singel, a Johnstown native, could be considered a contender. Posted Feb 09 2010, 10:28 AM by Timothy McNulty Filed under: John Murtha, special election Online: Contact Us Site Map Terms of Use Privacy Policy Advertise About Us What's New Help Corrections Print: Home Delivery Payment Vacation Address Change Rates Customer Service Delivery Questions Back Copies Specials Gift Subscriptions Newsstand FAQ Copyright ©1997 – document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); PG Publishing Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved. // // injectBanner(); [...]
Tim
Feb 9th, 2010
Regarding Dave Reed–why would he run for a congressional seat he doesn’t reside in? Indiana County is Bill Shuster country.
WESTPADEM6
Feb 9th, 2010
Tim is absolutely correct. Honestly, im not sure if folks in the 12th will take well to Russell or any other opportunistic carpetbagger coming in to run for the seat.
Tim
Feb 9th, 2010
Mark Pasquerilla??? Give me a break?! What has Mark done for the city of Johnstown??? Mark–not his father? But Mark? NOTHING.
Bob
Feb 9th, 2010
Actually Reed lives in the Murtha portion of Indiana County, as small as it may be.
James
Feb 10th, 2010
Actually, parts of Indiana County are in the 12th, just as parts of Fayette, Somerset, Cambria, Westmoreland, Armstrong, and Washington Counties are in the 12th. I suggest people look at the district map before embarrassing themselves more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pa12_109.gif
Liz Jones
Feb 15th, 2010
I would fiqure a representative from Fayette County would step into Murtha’s place….Murtha really took Tim Mahoney under his wing. Possibly Kasunic.