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.
No, it's not. Political science is called "science" for a reason. The numbers give you a starting point of core voters for each party. Now, setting aside for simplicity;s sake any changes due to redistricting, Murtha has over the years been able to draw GOP-leaning voters. How? Not just pork. He's been a strong military hawk, pro-life, pro-gun. Guess which set of voters he recently ticked off with his little "failure in Iraq" stunt.
I'd still rate Murtha a favorite, but this is by no means an absolute impossibility.
OK, perhaps he only has a 98% chance of winning. I would love to see Murtha gone, but even making this a close race will be a major accomplishment.
"Unless you're a registered Democrat, I don't think they'll let you vote more than once. : )"
Well then. Maybe my dog could take one of those votes. And my grandmother recently died.(may she rest in peace) I bet we can dig her up to vote a few times.
I hear that there have been numerous Mick E. Mouse sightings in PA lately.
Morning bump
"Interesting that Kerry's margin in the district was so narrow when Murtha always wins overwhelmingly."
There are a lot of veterans around here,myself included.I know a lot of these guys.And you're right, Murtha has alienated them.We've got the makings of an upset unfolding.
Diana would never have considered this if she didn't think she could win it.Her political consultant, John Brabender, is top flight.When I saw his name, I knew immediately that this was serious politics.
Sounds good. Wonder where we can find out more about her background. Not much on her web site. What about her husband's background? Military? did he avoid the draft or anything like that? We need more info. But I must say, I'm interested in this possibility. I have access to 65,000 vets via email and I'd like to help.
Your posts on this thread are excellent.I think Diana will surprise a lot of people.She's got a sturdy background and she's not one to tilt at windmills.
See my post#126.
Smoothsailing, what is her husband's backgound?
My pleasure, although admittedly it's a bit selfish. I obviously know very little about Mrs. Irey, but I just wanna make that back-stabbing ex-Marine pay with his job.
I'm heading over to Diana's office near the county courthouse to sign the nominating petition. I'll see what additional biographical information is available there.
I noticed in an earlier post of yours, the mention of your extensive veteran's contact list.Hopefully, I can come back with some info that will be helpful to you in that regard.
I'll ping or freepmail you in several hours.I very much appreciate your interest in this.Thanks!
I'll check back in a few hours.Hopefully I can get some updated info to post to this thread.
See if you can get her to come on FR and do a FReeper webcam. Can't hurt to ask, and it may be a great way to excite some conservatives nationally.
As soon as the signature gathering is complete there will be an announcement and her web site will be updated. So keep checking back.
No, her husband was not in the military, but was no draft dodger either. Sounds like all the ducks are in a row and just following procedure at this point.
One of her campaign workers has already posted to this thread. ;*)
No! Ya think?!? :-)
She get better and better!
Just got back from Diana's office. She wasn't there but I had the pleasure of chatting with her for a while by phone.
She is really excited about the campaign and is definitely running.Later,after leaving her office, I also spent some time talking with Bret,who is heading up the petition drive,and will be speaking with him again on Monday.
She will make a public formal announcement before the petition filing deadline which is March 10,IIRC.I'm all signed up and ready go!
There is more,like a nifty campaign slogan, but I'm mum until after the formal announcement.
The best thing we all can do for now is spread the word! WOOHOO! :-)
Mama mia!!
Excellent!!
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