Posted on 02/23/2006 11:00:59 AM PST by smoothsailing
Irey weighs run against Murtha
Linda Ritzer
Staff writer
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey is taking a "very, very serious look" at taking on 31-year incumbent U.S. Rep. John Murtha in this year's 12th District congressional election, an adviser said Wednesday.
Irey's political consultant, John Brabender of Brabender Cox in Pittsburgh, confirmed that Irey is circulating nominating petitions throughout the area.
"The people she's listening most to are people within the district," Brabender said. "People from all corners of the district have called her and have said they will support her if she does run."
Irey did not return calls Wednesday seeking comment.
She is not an official candidate, but Brabender said she will make a decision in the next 10 days.
Irey, 43, of Carroll Township, has been the minority Republican county commissioner since 1997. Murtha, 73, of Johnstown, is a senior member of Congress, dean of the state's congressional delegation and the top-ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations defense subcommittee. He set off a firestorm in November when he called for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
Brabender acknowledged that the race would be difficult, given the layout of the district and Murtha's tenure and fund-raising ability.
However, he believes there is a groundswell of dissatisfaction with Murtha.
"Clearly, there is a big Democrat-to-Republican advantage, as there is in Washington County. But before these people are Democrats or Republicans, they are parents, grandparents, students. There are things that are important to them. They see how John Murtha has gone Washington on them, and they want someone who is more in touch with the district," he said.
The 12th District meanders through all or part of nine counties, from the West Virginia line in Greene County, through half of Washington County and up to Cambria County.
Brabender said some people have concerns about Murtha's position on Iraq, while others are concerned about his position on issues such as Social Security and his lack of visibility in the district.
"He is someone who has been there quite long. It seems like he has given up the fight to help the district and is worred more about being on national TV," he continued.
Irey will need to introduce herself in parts of the sprawling district, and get her message out about cutting government waste and holding the line on taxes, he said.
Fund-raising would be a big issue in the race. In 2002, when Murtha squared off against U.S. Rep. Frank Mascara of Charleroi after Mascara's district was eliminated in redistricting, Murtha raised almost $2.4 million. He got 65 percent of the Democratic primary vote and went on to crush a perennial Republican candidate in November.
Murtha's 2005 year-end campaign finance report indicates he has $1.59 million on hand. Irey's year-end report shows a balance of $57,000.
"This is going to be a huge challenge for her to try to beat Murtha," said Dr. G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College.
Brabender said Irey has been courted before to run for Congress or statewide office but declined because of her family responsibliities. She and her husband, Bob, have three children ages 12 to 16.
"They are now of the age they can travel on the campaign trail, and now is the right time," he said.
Murtha's spokesman, Brad Clemenson, declined to comment on Irey's potential candidacy. He said Murtha intends to run for re-election and is circulating nominating petitions.
Content © 2006 Observer Publishing Co.
And she has looks. Vote her in now!
:-)
It's time to retire, Murtha.
Yep. I noticed that. As Rush says, "Feminism was created so that unattractive women would have easier access to the mainstream."
:-)
ooh la la
BTTT
Back when prayer was banned in schools, my public high school continued to say the "Our Father" in the morning despite the US Supreme Court decision. Though I did not think much of the principal back then, I was a very fortunate person to have such people in my education process.
I think it took about a year for high school to comply with the ban on prayer in our school...
John Kerry did carry the PA-12 in 2004, but by only 51%-49%. I would be willing to wager that Lynn Swann will carry the district in the gubernatorial race with between 52%-55%.
While a pro-life, pro-gun, senior Democrat Congressman like Jack Murtha would normally be unbeatable in a socially conservative, economically liberal-to-moderate district such as this one, his irresponsible statements regarding the Iraq War make him potentially vulnerable. If Irey runs strongly in her home base around Washington County and in suburban Westmoreland County, she might be able to make up for Murtha's big advantage in the Johnstown area and surprise everyone on election day.
"The Dems are not going to let their main anti-Iraq/anti-War/anti-Bush policy maker go down in defeat.
Look for some Soros or Hollywood lefty money to go Murtha's way if Murtha is seen to be in trouble."
"She got my votes."
Ha! One of their finest was staked out in front of a local supermarket a few days ago trolling for signatures on some petition. After seeing her, I decided Helen Thomas wasn't so bad after all.
ping
Murtha's racked up huge margins in the past, but as you addressed he completely changed the equation by lurching left.
Interesting that Kerry's margin in the district was so narrow when Murtha always wins overwhelmingly. I see he was first elected in 1974, the year of the big Demo tidal wave following Nixon's resignation. In the previous election, the GOP incumbent won by a large margin. He did not run for reelection and Murtha succeeded him.
It would be great if Irey could beat him. It sure would look bad for the defeatist crowd.
Another plus is that she drives the dims around here nuts.
Unfortunately, I live in the half of the county that's not the 12th district.
Its also good that she's from the valley. The Mon valley encompasses several counties, Greene, Wash, Fayette, and Westmoreland and they share alot of the same issues.
Problem is that its hugely dimocrat.
BTW, Irey has been a well known name in the valley for at least 40 years. Her father-in-law was a big time contractor.
Absolutely impossible. Go to Johnstown, PA sometime. It is a haven for government contractors. Murtha brings home the pork, and most of the voters are dependant upon his pork.
You've still got time to move. Suck it up! ;-)
You equate a 51-49 Kerry victory as "absolutely impossible." Interesting take, to say the least.
No, that had nothing to do with it. Read the post. Murtha ranks #2 in Congress for bringing home the pork. I have been to that district and it is sickening to see the number of Government contracting offices located there. Their paychecks might as well have Murtha's name written on them. The fact that it leaned Kerry or Bush is completely irrelevant. This is pocketbook politics at its worse, and I really don't see how you overcome it. Murtha is not going to lose. Shoot the Holiday Inn I stayed at in Johnstown, PA even had a big painting of Murtha on the wall. Johnstown would be a ghost town without Murtha.
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