Joyce Murtha backs aide's House bid

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Mark Critz, the former district director to Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha, won a potentially pivotal endorsement from the late congressman's wife in his bid to claim Murtha's vacant seat in a May special election.

"Mark has always displayed the utmost professionalism and concern for constituents, and it is for this reason that I am declaring my full endorsement of his candidacy," Joyce Murtha said in a statement released by Critz's campaign.

Murtha will also be serving as an honorary campaign chairwoman for Critz, who worked as Murtha's district director for the past three years and served on his staff for the last decade.

Critz is facing off against two better-known Democrats, state Treasurer Barbara Hafer and former Lt Gov. Mark Singel, as well as Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic Jr., in his bid to win the Democratic nomination for the May 18 special election. He is also running in the regularly scheduled primary, also being held on the same day, to win a full term in November.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33506.html