POLL: Murtha aide (Critz) pulls ahead in special election race, 44/38.

[jefferson_dem]

Murtha aide pulls ahead in special election race
By Mike Wereschagin

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, May 12, 2010

A close primary race has divided Republicans in the late Rep. John Murtha's district and has helped Democrat Mark Critz take the lead in the special election to replace him, according to a Susquehanna Polling & Research survey.

Critz leads GOP nominee Tim Burns 44 percent to 38 percent with one week to go. Voters on Tuesday will pick between the two to fill Murtha's unexpired term and will choose their parties' nominees for the general election in November.

A majority of Democrats back Critz in the primary over challengers Ryan Bucchianeri and Ron Mackell Jr.

Burns is locked in a statistical dead heat with Army veteran Bill Russell for the Republican nomination, according to the poll.

"He's fighting a two-front war. The Russell challenge is very significant," said Jim Lee, president of Susquehanna Polling & Research. The poll of 400 likely voters took place Monday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.

<SNIP>

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_680706.html

[Jennicut]

1. Good news. I think Critz may pull this one out and that would be very

good for the Dems after the Mass disaster.

[blue neen]

2. We are getting polled here almost daily.

The number of ads Burns has been running is astounding.

It's good news to hear that Critz has taken the lead. :)

[jefferson_dem]

3. Big Dog headed to PA-12 to campaign for Critz, by the way.

Clinton To Campaign For Critz In PA-12
May 11, 2010 5:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | Share This

By Tim Sahd

Pres. Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi may be personas non grata in PA-12, but ex-Murtha staffer Mark Critz (D) is counting on another Dem -- Pres. Clinton -- to rally partisans days before the 5/18 special election.

Clinton will attend a 5/16 get-out-the-vote rally for Critz in Johnstown.

Coincidentally, Clinton also attended a last-minute event for Rep. John Murtha (D) in '08, as polls showed the race between Murtha and ret. Army lieutenant colonel William Russell (R) tightening. Murtha won that race with 59%.

There aren't too many high-profile Dems who could show up and do Critz any good here; in fact, despite the CD's nearly 2-1 Dem voter advantage, Pelosi and Obama hold abysmal ratings. And John McCain won the CD in '08. So far, the biggest stars Critz has brought into the CD include WV Gov. Joe Manchin (D) and doo-wop singer Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, although VP Biden held a fundraiser for Critz in Pittsburgh, which is outside the CD.

Clinton, though, is remembered much more fondly by voters here, and he won the district in both '92 and '96.

Businessman Tim Burns (R) won't be without star power on the trail in the final days of the race, either. Last week, his camp announced that MA Sen. Scott Brown (R) will headline a 5/14 rally in Washington, PA, and will also hold a fundraiser earlier in the day.

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/05/clinton_to_camp_2.php

[HughMoran]

4. One week to go

I hope he pulls this one out!