NRA rating boosts Critz

Democrat Mark Critz has received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association, boosting his efforts to rebut the “liberal” label ahead of the 12th District special election.

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May 1, 2010 at 1:38 pm | Comments (0)

Russell: Don’t name a ship after Murtha

Republican Bill Russell this week waded into the Navy’s sometimes-controversial decision to name a ship after the late John Murtha, with his campaign calling it an “insult.”

Russell, a darling of some in the conservative grassroots, rose to prominence in 2008 partly because he fiercely spoke out when the the 12th District congressman called Marines involved in an incident in Iraq “cold-blooded killers.” Russell is running for the western Pennsylvania seat for the second time…

May 1, 2010 at 1:04 pm | Comments (3)

Burns leads by 6 in new poll

A political climate harsh to Democrats continue to buoy Republican Tim Burns in the 12th District special election, helping to give him a six-point lead over Mark Critz, according to a new poll.

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April 30, 2010 at 1:29 pm | Comments (9)

Martha Moore, everyone’s favorite debate partner

MEADVILLE—Five of the candidates in the 3rd District Republican primary can agree on one thing: They’re all fans of the sixth candidate in the race, Martha Moore.

“I want to get you on Leno,” primary opponent Steven Fisher told Moore recently.

“She is entertaining, to say the least,” candidate Paul Huber said.

Moore, a doctor with her own practice in Sandy Lake, has emerged as the fiery, folksy populist in the crowded field to take…

April 29, 2010 at 10:45 pm | Comments (12)

Malvern consultant managing Buchanan’s campaign

Republican Mary Beth Buchanan has a new campaign manager.

Mike Walsh, who has worked on the early campaigns for Rick Santorum and Tom Ridge, started running Buchanan’s campaign early last week. Buchanan, a former U.S. Attorney,

April 29, 2010 at 5:43 pm | Comments (2)

Meakem endorses Rothfus in 4th Distrct

Prominent talk-show host and Pittsburgh entrepreneur Glen Meakem on Thursday endorsed Republican Keith Rothfus for Congress in the 4th District, lending still more credibility and momentum to the insurgent’s primary bid against former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan.

Meakem, whose name was briefly floated as a Senate candidate last year, is well-known in western Pennsylvania for the conservative talk show he hosts and for his role a civic leader wealthy from founding businesses in start-up…

April 29, 2010 at 3:12 pm | Comments (0)

Five candidates, two elections, one forum

WESTMONT—Three Democrats and two Republicans competing for the chance to succeed the late John Murtha shared a stage Wednesday evening, during a lightning-round style forum that divided the candidates along predictable ideological lines but also briefly prefaced the bitter debate to come between Republican Tim Burns and Democrat Mark Critz.

The forum, held in a high school auditorium in this borough on the outskirts of Johnstown, featured not only Burns and Critz—the two candidates set…

April 28, 2010 at 9:21 pm | Comments (5)

New Burns ad hits Critz on tax liens

Republican Tim Burns’ congressional campaign is up with a new ad this week, a 30-second spot that hits Democrat Mark Critz for being the business manager of a company that racked up more than $150,000 in state and federal tax violations.

The ad continues the Burns campaign strategy of drawing the contrast between “successful businessman” and “Washington bureaucrat” in the 12th District special election.

In March,

April 28, 2010 at 1:51 pm | Comments (9)

In 3rd District primary, Huber buys TV time early and often

ERIE—As Republicans Paul Huber and Mike Kelly jockey for the GOP nomination to take on Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3), Huber has entered the home stretch with large purchases of TV ads that, at least for now, are largely burying Kelly on the airwaves.

Huber has already committed to spending more than $150,000 on broadcast television in the Erie media market through the May 18 primary, with a third of that amount having already been spent…

April 28, 2010 at 11:19 am | Comments (8)

Fisher: ‘They keep saying they hear us, but they’re not listening’

MEADVILLE—See a video clip below of health insurance agent Steven Fisher, a Republican candidate in the 3rd Congressional District.

Fisher joined the other five GOP hopefuls for

April 28, 2010 at 9:00 am | Comments (0)