GEORGE WONG/AP
	A candle and photos of the seven space shuttle Columbia astronauts Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003 outside Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Space shuttle Columbia broke apart over East Texas as it prepared to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida Saturday morning. All crew members perished in the disaster. (AP Photo/George Wong)

Diana Irey, the Republican Washington County commissioner, is considering a challenge to U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, the veteran congressman whose critique of the Iraq war has attracted national attention in recent months.

John Brabender, her media strategist, said that while Ms. Irey had not made a final decision on the race, she is circulating nominating petitions and is "very serious'' about the prospect of ousting the longest-serving member of the state's congressional delegation.

Ms. Irey, the only woman elected as commissioner in Washington County, referred questions about the race to Mr. Brabender.

Mr. Murtha, who has cultivated a reputation as a champion of the military during more than three decades in Congress, stoked the debate on the war with his call last year for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Mr. Murtha has traditionally enjoyed support across party lines in past elections, but Mr. Brabender contended that his anti-war statement had changed that.

"Obviously, he has angered some people in his district,'' Mr. Brabender said.

Cindy Abram, Mr. Murtha's press secretary, said it would be premature to comment on Ms. Irey's plans before she actually becomes a candidate.

The challenge of defeating the longtime incumbent would be compounded by the fact that he is one of the biggest fund-raisers in the House, having collected more than $1.6 million in 2005.

"Mr. Murtha's having a ton of money and where it came from will be part of the campaign,'' Mr. Brabender predicted.