Posted on 05/10/2010 6:13:55 AM PDT by Kaslin
I’m Brian Walsh, the Political Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee. I want to start by thanking you for reading the first of our new “Race of the Day” posts. It’s my hope that these articles will be a resources for you and you’ll check back daily for my updates on House candidates and elections happening across the country.
I want to kick this series off by telling you about the very next election on the political calendar – the special election in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District to fill the seat formerly held by the late Representative John Murtha. Here, we have Republican businessman Tim Burns running against Democrat and veteran Washington-insider Mark Critz.
Burns is a Johnstown, PA native with a track record of success in the district. After graduating from college, Tim started his own pharmacy technology company in his basement and over the years grew it to where he provided 400 jobs for the community. His ability to create jobs and knowledge of healthcare issues make him uniquely qualified to serve in Congress during these troubled times. This experience, coupled with his deep commitment to the conservative values he shares with the people of the district, demonstrates that Tim is a great candidate and we must work together to send him to Washington.
On the other side of the aisle, Democrat Mark Critz has just one core set of experiences – those of a government bureaucrat. Over the past decade, while Critz served as economic development and district director for the office of Congressman Murtha, unemployment doubled in nearly every county in PA-12. Furthermore, Critz is a candidate who claims to be against legislation like Cap & Trade – which will be disastrous for Western Pennsylvanians – yet he campaigns and raises money with the anti-coal likes of Vice President Joe Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen. How can his potential constituents in Pennsylvania hope to trust someone with those kinds of double standards?
Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen Critz apologize to Tim Burns for mis-stating his record on taxes and continue his attempts to play both sides of the issue on health care reform. While he’s stated that he wouldn’t have voted with Speaker Pelosi and that he opposes federal mandates – Critz refuses to work towards repeal of this legislation.
We’ve seen a great deal of polling information since this race began, some that has had both the Republicans and Democrats in the lead. But one thing is clear – Republicans are close in this traditionally Democrat-dominated district, and Nancy Pelosi and her liberal allies are running scared. Even with Democrats possessing a nearly 2-1 advantage among registered voters, no one is denying that this race is heating up, and even political handicappers Stu Rothenberg and Charlie Cook have moved this race to pure toss-up. Tim’s message of fiscal conservatism and family values is one that’s resonating, and his push for the repeal of Healthcare Reform and the halting of the Obama/Pelosi agenda is one we can all agree on.
This special election comes at a vital time for our country. Democrats have rammed through legislation over the past 16 months that has placed the United States on a road to more bureaucracy and higher taxes – with no end in sight. On May 18th, Americans have a chance to send Washington Democrats a clear message by cutting into Nancy Pelosi’s vote count in the House of Representatives.
I hope you’ll take the time to visit Tim’s Web site and learn more about our great candidate and this important race – and don’t forget to check back daily for our future Race of the Day updates.
ping
Could someone please answer this question for me.
I know Tim Burns created a business and apparently sold it in 2003. What has he been doing since 2003? From the papers I see, it seems he has done volunteer work. Here is what his own web site states.
Since selling his company in 2003, Tim has been active in economic development projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania as an advisor and entrepreneur. He has also volunteered his time helping flood victims in Sharpsburg (Allegheny County), traveling to Mississippi to provide aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, volunteering at a local hospice and directing a youth camp for special needs children. Tim serves on the Board of Directors for the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA).
Seems he has been an advisor, a volunteer and a director since 2003 and is now looking for a cush job in Washington. Am I wrong?
That is why PA-12 needs to vote for Burns in the special election, but nominate Russel for the Nov election.
I do not understand this election.
Why is Burns campaigning etc in Washington PA area. If he is running for Murtha’s seat...should his campaign be only in the Johnstown area? Will the people all across PA voting tomorrow be able to vote for him only....will Russell be on the ballot?
Please explain.
so will Russell be on the ballot tomorrow..and if not, why not.
As for the election, there are two: one to fill the seat until January, in which Burns is running against a Dem, and the Primary, which Burns is running against Russel, and the winner runs against the Dem in November. Both votes will be on the ballot next week.
See Post 7.
PA-12 ping.
I meant post 8, sorry.
Thank you. That clears it up.
So, do you, like I.....wonder what Burns has been doing for the last seven years except being a millionnaire...that surely is tough work in and off itself.
My beef with Burns is that the RINOs in PA-12 (who kissed Murtha's backside for all those years) backed Burns, which makes him suspect in my mind.
I agree. It just seems very strange to me that a man would basically stop working at the age of 35 and start doing community service. Don’t get me wrong about his money.....I am all for people working hard and making all the money they can. Usually a man who does one great thing goes on to do many more.
I called the Republican party of PA (or whatever they cal themselves) to as them why they backed Burns instead of Russell.....I have not heard back from them. Imagine my surprise!
He’s a multi-millionaire. He doesn’t need a cush job. He could live out his days comfortably on a tropical island if he wanted to.
I guess the point I was trying to make was as a millionnaire, why would he want to go to Washington. Do we really need another millionnaire in D C spending our money.
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