Republican's Nominate Candidate For Murtha's Congressional Seat

Republican businessman Tim Burns has received his party's nomination in the congressional primary race for the seat of late Congressman John Murtha. Burns, a native of Johnstown, beat out challenger Bill Russell for the nomination. Russell, a former army officer challenged Murtha for his seat in 2008 but was unsuccessful. Burns won the nomination by a vote of 85 to 46 at a party meeting held at St. Vincent College. Burns will is also running in the special election to serve out the remaining 8 months of the late congressman's term. Burn will be running against Democrat Mark Critz, who was Murtha's former district director.