Published: November 01, 2008 11:58 pm      

Murtha rallies his supporters

Facing a suddenly competitive re-election campaign, U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, rallied supporters Saturday to send him back to Washington.

About 100 local business leaders, health-care professionals, union representatives and local Democratic Party chiefs met at Murtha’s Main Street headquarters to hear from the congressman, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner – before heading out to knock on doors, put up campaign signs and operate phone banks.

“Every single vote counts,” Murtha told the crowd.

The Murtha for Congress Committee announced that former President Clinton will be at Sports Center on the Pitt-Johnstown campus on Monday to join Murtha for a Get-Out-the-Vote rally.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the event is free and open to the public. Clinton’s visit will focus on Murtha’s leadership, experience and continued fight on behalf of the people of western Pennsylvania.

Murtha is facing a surprisingly tough battle from Republican William Russell, who moved to Johnstown to challenge Murtha for his 12th Congressional District seat.

Murtha’s recent comments about racism in western Pennsylvania put the local House race on the national radar screen.

Recent polling shows Murtha slightly ahead – making things close enough for the longtime congressman to reach out for help and financial backing.

Peg Luksik, Russell’s campaign manager, said the GOP candidate will speak at a rally today in New Stanton while supporters are out meeting with potential voters during the final days before the election.

“Our phone banking and door-to-door has been happening all along,” Luksik said Saturday. “We are finding wherever we go that people feel the congressman has lost touch with his district. People are very open to Bill’s ideas.”

Luksik said Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey, who lost to Murtha in the 2006 election, is now campaigning for Russell.

“Here at the end, we’re really focusing on the ideas and message Bill is delivering,” Luksik said.

Murtha reiterated Saturday that his campaign was “blindsided in this election, and it’s my own fault.”

Casey credited Murtha with helping his father, Robert Casey, get elected governor of Pennsylvania in 1986. The senior Casey served from 1987-1995.

“Jack Murtha is a Casey Democrat from a long time ago,” the senator said, adding that Murtha and his father both supported preserving Social Security and children’s health-insurance programs.

Wagner said Murtha is ninth in seniority in the House, but “might be the most influential member of Congress.”

Johnstown businessman Mark Pasquerilla praised Murtha for efforts to enhance the economy of the district and the Johnstown region.

“Not every dollar sent to Washington should be spent in Washington, or even Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and Virginia,” Pasquerilla said.

“(Murtha)’s bringing our tax dollars back to the district. His work is improving the economy of the district.”