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Critz: Election isn’t about Nancy Pelosi

JOHNSTOWN—As he’s sought to succeed John Murtha in the 12th Congressional District, Republican Tim Burns has doggedly tried to tie Democrat Mark Critz to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It’s fitting with GOP efforts to nationalize local races across the country, especially in the western Pennsylvania district where a figure like Pelosi is polarizing and unpopular.

Critz, for his part, says it won’t work, and misses the point anyway.

“Apparently, he’s running against Nancy Pelosi,” Critz said of his opponent during an interview here earlier this month. Speaking in the lobby of a downtown hotel, Critz downplayed the race’s national implications.

“The pundits, everyone wants to say this means this or that means that,” he said. “But when you talk to people here, they’re just worried about their jobs.”

He also disputed the perception that he has distanced himself from Murtha, his longtime boss, by voicing staunch opposition to the health care overhaul and cap-and-trade legislation.

“When you work for someone, their position is the position of the office,” Critz said. “But I’m an independent thinker.”

Polls have forecast a close race against Burns, and both candidates, national parties and outside groups have spent millions on the campaign. Critz said the race would be won on the ground.

“Every day that goes by,” he said, “my ground-game gets stronger.”

May 16, 2010 at 4:41 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Mark Critz, PA-12, Tim Burns

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