GOP nominates newcomer to succeed Murtha
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Republicans tonight selected a political newcomer who has never sought elected office as their nominee in the special election to succeed the late U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha.
Tim Burns, a self-made millionaire from Eighty Four, Washington County, and a native of Mr. Murtha's hometown of Johnstown, handily defeated Bill Russell, who mounted a strong challenge to Mr. Murtha in 2008.
Three other hopefuls spoke before the group but none received a nominating motion, leaving them out of the vote altogether. Mr. Burns' nearest rival for the nomination, Mr. Russell, a retired Army officer who moved to the district two years ago to challenge Mr. Murtha, came in second. He indicated that he still plans to seek the nomination for a full term in the party primary.
Both the special election to fill the remaining eight months of Mr. Murtha's term and the primary to nominate a candidate for the November general election are being held on May 18.
Mr. Burns won by a two-to-one margin as 132 delegates cast votes tonight at the Fred M. Rogers Center at St. Vincent College.
First Published March 11, 2010 9:26 pm
