Ping! http://www.irey.com/ (Running against M'utha).
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.
Got my vote.
Washington County went for Kerry by only 500 votes.Kerry 48,200-Bush 47,700.
Many individual boroughs went for Bush, mine included.
The 12th district(Murtha's) is where I live.The results were similar,although I don't remember the exact numbers.
That is encouraging news. I thought Kerry's margin there was larger. I will check the numbers again but I was discouraged to ready Murtha has always won by huge margins. Defeating him will be a daunting task but I am encouraged by your comments.
(Actually, I agree with you! :D)
You are probably right -- sigh -- we can only hope the GOP can counterpunch with a boatload of money for her!
I've got to be gone for a couple of hours.
If you run across 12th district totals,could you post them to this thread,please? :)
Please ping your lists and see what we can do to help her!
BTW, the woman I spoke to is the mother of a Marine!
Irey, the young, intelligent soccer mom will give Murtha a run for his money. Maybe she could get someone with strong name recognition to help campaign for her.
I know how about Lynn Swann, Laura Bush and Condi!
If so than it's 'bye-bye big mouth Murtha.'
Was that after the dead, the illegal, the felon and the disenfranchised military count? Or was it 500 after those adjustments?
She got my votes.
But SW Pa. is a whole lot redder than many people think.Lot's of vets and hunters.
The locals are not happy with Murtha badmouthing our troops.
I gotta run, I hope your pings get the word around!Thanks! :)
Thank you "Gucho"
Governor Rendell of Pennsylvania prevented US Troops in Iraq from voting in the 2004 election because of corruption in Harrisburg. The US Dept of Justice had to intervene to allow votes by US Troops fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan to be counted in the 2004 election.
Maybe Rendell and Murtha should have bumper sticker - "To Hell with our Troops and what they fight for"... It would be appropriate...
Thanks! That's where I got the number to call her campaign headquarters! ;*)
Thanks for the help Gucho! ;*)
Ping for help!
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