He died today at 1:18 pm today from complications from Gall bladder surgery. He was 77. One more spot for congress to fill.

That's unfortunate. I hate those 'complications' type deaths. It's usually some kind of infection or blood clot. You'd think we could prevent those kinds of things by now, but it's a huge risk associated with surgery.

One of HuckPAC's best endorsements, last go around............

RUSSELL ASKS FOR PRAYERS FOR MURTHA FAMILY

Announces a Moratorium on Campaign Media Efforts

(JOHNSTOWN, PA) – Responding to the sudden and unfortunate announcement of the death of Rep. John Murtha (D-PA-12th), GOP challenger William Russell has asked all citizens, Republicans, Democrats and Independents to come together and pray for Joyce and the Murtha family as they deal with the tragic loss of husband, father and grandfather. “While Mr. Murtha and I were political combatants in every sense, our family and campaign team asks you to keep the Murtha family in your thoughts and prayers,” said Russell. “Regardless of your political position, you always knew Jack had an immense love and loyalty to his family and the residents of the 12th Congressional District.

The Russell campaign is immediately initiating a moratorium on all political media activity for the next five days in respect of the passing of John Murtha. The campaign will also remove all political references to Mr. Murtha on the Russellbrigade.com website immediately.

It is the wish of the William Russell for Congress Committee, that the passing of Mr. Murtha be treated with the utmost respect and decency by all, especially in the media and weblogs.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/11/ ... l?hpt=Sbin
Washington (CNN) -- The mountains and valleys of southwestern Pennsylvania seem a world away from Washington, but they may soon be the scene of a fierce campaign battle between Democrats and Republicans.

Monday's death of Democratic Rep. John Murtha triggers a special election for his office, and conventional wisdom says the GOP has a good chance to pick up a House seat.
While Murtha rarely had any serious challenges in his 18 re-election contests, his party doesn't dominate what's considered a socially conservative district, which stretches from Cambria County in west-central Pennsylvania down to the southwestern corner of the state.

In the 2004 presidential election, Sen. John Kerry won Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District by 2 percentage points. But Sen. John McCain narrowly edged out Barack Obama in that district in the 2008 presidential contest, even though Obama carried the state by 10 percent. The 12th was the only congressional district Kerry won in 2004 that McCain carried four years later.

The district, which includes parts of Pennsylvania's coal and steel country, "has seen hard economic times, even before the current recession," said Timothy McNulty, a political reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said he'll soon announce a date for the special election. One option is to schedule the contest for May 18, the same day the state holds its primary for the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races. That would save lots of money for a state that's struggling to balance its budget.

But holding the special election on the same day as the primary could also benefit the Democratic candidate in the 12th District contest since a large turnout of Democrats is expected as the party holds competitive statewide races for Senate and governor.

Republicans don't have high-profile races in either statewide contest, and their turnout could be lower.

But the Post-Gazette reports that Rendell said it may not be possible to wait until May 18 to fill the seat.

"There are many important issues Congress may have to decide before that," Rendell said in a telephone conference call, according to the newspaper.

Former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel and state Sen. John Wozniak are among the Democrats mentioned as possible candidates. Republican William Russell, a former Army officer who grabbed 42 percent of the vote against Murtha in 2008, is considered a possible contender on the Republican side, as is businessman Tim Burns. Others from both parties may jump into the contest. McNulty terms it "a wide open race."
Pennsylvania Democrats said the state party committee's executive board will choose a candidate after a recommendation from party panel members from the district. Republican candidates will make their case at a meeting of party representatives from the counties that make up the district. Those representatives then will vote to decide the GOP nominee.

Following Murtha's death, two nonpartisan analysts characterized the once formerly safe seat for Democrats as in play. The Cook Political Report now lists the seat as a tossup, and the Rothenberg Political Report changed its description from solidly to favored Democrat.

"We don't know the candidates yet, but this is an opportunity for the Republicans based on the competitive nature of the district," said Nathan Gonzales, political editor of the Rothenberg Political Report. "Now that the seat is vacant, this is a very competitive race."

Whoever wins the special election then will have to defend the seat in November's midterm elections.

Republicans are feeling good after winning last month's special Senate election in Massachusetts and November's gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia. But while the national political climate may benefit the GOP, Democrats have won the past five competitive special elections for House seats.

Republicans also will be gunning for another Democratic seat being contested in an upcoming special election. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, is expected to step down this month to concentrate on his bid for governor, and Republicans have said they believe they have a shot at taking a district in which Democrats traditionally dominate.

The importance of both races will be magnified since they come a few months before the crucial midterm elections when all 435 seats in the House and 36 in the Senate will be up for grabs.

In the House, the GOP needs to pick up 40 seats to win back the majority. The special elections in Hawaii and Pennsylvania could force the party to decide its priorities.

"I think we are at the stage in the cycle where Republicans have to decide to save their money for the fall or spend money now for another symbolic victory," Gonzales added. "Republicans don't need one more seat right now. They need 40 come November. They need to balance their priorities and save some money for the fall."

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/02/09 ... -john-mur/
According to state law, Pennsylvania must hold a special election to replace the late Rep. John Murtha, Politico reports. After Murtha's vacancy has been officially declared, Gov. Ed Rendell has 10 days to call a special election, which can take place no more than 60 days later. The likely date is May 18, the day the state's regularly scheduled primary elections will be held.

There will be no primary to select candidates for the special election. County party leaders from Murtha's western Pennsylvania district will select candidates at a convention, and the winner of the special election will serve the remainder of Murtha's term. Like all House members, Murtha was up for re-election in November, which means the winner of the special election will have to win another vote less than six months after taking office.

Replacing Murtha is one more headache for House Democrats, who could be facing punishing losses in the midterm elections. The Cook Political Report calls Pennsylvania a "toss up," and recent upsets in strongly Democratic states have fueled worries that Republicans could mount a serious bid for Murtha's seat.
Any HA members on the ground in this PA county? How's this all shaping up for Lt. Col. Bill Russell (HuckPAC endorsed candidate '08)?

http://www.russellbrigade.com
RUSSELL WILL SEEK SEAT IN SPECIAL ELECTION

Calls Effort “A Move That Makes Sense for Voters”

(JOHNSTOWN, PA) – Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. William Russell, Republican candidate for the nomination for Representative in the 12th PA Congressional district has announced that he is also a candidate in the Special Election to fill the vacancy left by the untimely death of Rep. John Murtha.

“Since the Governor has announced that the Special Election will be held on Primary day, May 18th,” said Russell, “it makes perfect sense to also be a candidate in the special election. It’s a move that makes sense for the voters and will simplify the process for the thousands of my supporters.”

Russell responded immediately upon hearing of the death of Rep. Murtha by suspending all campaign activity and urging all citizens, Republicans, Democrats and Independents to come together and pray for Murtha family. “Regardless of your political position, you always knew Jack had an immense love and loyalty to his family and the residents of the12th Congressional District,” Russell said in an earlier release.

Russell has now officially resumed his primary campaign and will also unveil a newly designed web site at http://www.russellbrigade.com, within the next few days.