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.
Boo-yah! Consider the check in the mail!
It's too bad we couldn't get Frank Mascara to run against Pennsylvania's abomination in the 'Rat primary and damage him for the general. This young lady is going to need beaucoup $$ to challenge Murtha.
Given Murtha's recenty heightened profile, wouldn't the fact that a credible opponent was challenging him in and of itself draw donations?
I agree with you both. She's gonna need lotsa money, but she's also gonna draw a lot of money (including from us out-of-staters who support our military).
There's a Keystone state forum? Huh. I never get out of News/Activism!
I believe it is critically important that the GOP take on these bigshots. If there was a viable GOP in Massachusetts, they should be getting their very best candidate to run for senate whenever one of the 'rat K-scumbags is up for re-election. The purpose would be to insure that a good solid message got out, with publicity for Republicans as solid options not throw-away cranks; but also the fact is, sometimes the people choose an unexpected giant-killer.
University of Dayton
Ah, thanks.
It's okay...she's a married woman!
I'd love to see her run.! Murtha needs to be put into retirement.
It's good that she was elected at-large, as it gives her a larger electoral base from which she could launch a campaign should she run.
Terms run 4 years.She is now in the second year of her third term.
She should use the photo of Murtha posing with the Code Pinkos - those whackos protesting outside of Walter Reed Medical Center.
Besides, she's better than that.She can run an upbeat, positive campaign and win.
They'll be plenty of other groups to portray Murtha as the cheap hack that he is.
Requested ping ping! This should interest you folks in Pennsylvania on the list. In the end, it'll interest everyone.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.