Posted on 07/23/2006 8:51:33 AM PDT by Coop
A private investigator working for the campaign of U.S. Rep. John Murtha has been collecting information about his opponent in the congressional race, Washington County Commissioner Diana L. Irey.
"Everybody's talking about it," Irey said Wednesday, adding that she became aware that an investigator hired by the Murtha campaign was checking up on her in a county outside Washington a couple of weeks ago.
About the same time, a woman arrived at the Washington County elections office requesting copies of Irey's campaign finance forms in her county commissioner races and information from a statewide database that would show how often she went to the polls.
The database shows Irey as a registered Republican who since at least 1986 regularly voted in both primaries and general elections, most recently in the May 16 primary.
"There's nothing sinister about checking public records on someone running for Congress, especially when that person is not well known," Murtha said through a spokeswoman.
Asked if the investigation goes beyond the public record, Irey said, "That's the rumor," and claimed that the Murtha campaign has previously looked into other opponents' pasts.
"It's been done before," said Irey, a three-term county commissioner. "I was told when I entered this race that he's done that to other candidates as well. I've been investigated before. I don't have anything to hide."
Although news releases from Irey's campaign sometimes refer to its "investigation" of Murtha, she said she uses the word in a different context, meaning an examination of Murtha's voting record in Congress.
"We have not hired a private investigator," Irey said.
The 12th Congressional District stretches from the West Virginia line to Cambria County, taking in all of Greene County and about half of Washington County. The Johnstown Democrat was first elected to Congress in 1974.
I going by the evening of Aug. 2nd on my way north. Were is the office?
I'll get you some details. Stand by.
If he's not worried about her, then why would he be doing this? This, IMHO, says a lot.
The guy has brought back lots of pork to this district in 32 years. The local grafters are afraid that they will have to do less if a new person is elected. People would be amazed to discover how few people really get significant amounts of the federal money that comes into a district.
I agree. I've sent money, but Oklahoma is a little far to commute so I can "volunteer"!! The local folks are going to have to handle that part, unfortunately.
:-)
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