Democratic delegates in the late Rep. John Murtha's district picked his former district director to succeed him in a straw vote this morning in a Delmont banquet hall.
Mark Critz, 48, of Johnstown, won 46 of 83 votes cast by Democratic delegates. The vote was meant to express to the state party who the locals want them to nominate. Former state Treasurer Barbara Hafer received 22 votes, followed by Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic Jr. with 14 and Navy veteran Ryan Bucchianeri with one.
The 50-member state executive committee will decide which candidate gets the party's official endorsement in a vote Monday. Republicans plan to nominate a candidate Thursday.
"What you see here is the support that I've generated, that I've earned over the years with Congressman Murtha," Critz said.
The May 18 election to fill the remainder of Murtha's term — which takes place the same day as the primary election for a full term in the seat — promises to b...
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