Congressman Murtha Has Died
Congressman John Murtha (D-Pa12) died today at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. He was 77 and had represented his district since 1974.
Murtha's gallbladder was removed Jan. 28 in what was considered a routine laparoscopic procedure at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. An infection developed, however, and on Feb. 1 he was moved to the intensive care unit at the Virginia Hospital Center.
Murtha, the first Vietnam veteran to be elected to congress, was Pennsylvania longest serving congressman and was seeking to win a 20th term this November. He chaired the House Subcommittee on Defense.
His district is the only one in the nation that voted for Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
Gov. Rendell is expected to call a special election to fill the seat. Murtha had challengers --Ron Mackell Jr. and 34-year-old Ryan Bucchianeri -- in the May 18 Democratic Primary.
The leading contender for the GOP nomination is Bill Russell, who was Murtha's opposition in 2008. He faces GOP activist Dave Battaglia and businessman Tim Burns.
Trackbacks
-
2/20/2010 11:18 AM
BLOG.BILLLAWRENCEONLINE.COM wrote:
Former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel has announced that he will seek the 12th District Pennsylvania congressional seat left vacant by the Feb. 8 death of fellow Democrat John Murtha.A special election will be held, May 18, the same day as the primary election, to fill the remaining months of Murtha's term. An election for a fresh term will occur in November.Singel represented the 35th District in the state senate from 1981-87, before becoming being elected lieutenant governor with Gov. Bob Casey. He was acting governor for six months in 1993.Ron Mackell Jr. and 34-year-old Ryan Bucchianeri had announced ... -
2/20/2010 11:25 AM
BLOG.BILLLAWRENCEONLINE.COM wrote:
Former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel has announced that he will seek the 12th District Pennsylvania congressional seat left vacant by the Feb. 8 death of fellow Democrat John Murtha.A special election will be held, May 18, the same day as the primary election, to fill the remaining months of Murtha's term. An election for a fresh term will occur in November.Singel represented the 35th District in the state senate from 1981-87, before becoming being elected lieutenant governor with Gov. Bob Casey. He wasacting governor for six months in 1993.Ron Mackell Jr. and 34-year-old Ryan Bucchianeri had announced primary challenges ...
Comments