Mark Critz Defeats Tim Burns in Pennsylvania Special Election for Murtha's Seat

AP

Updated May 19 at 1 a.m. ET

Democrat Mark Critz, a former congressional aide, has defeated Republican businessman Tim Burns in the special election for Pennsylvania's 12th district, the Associated Press reports.

The special election has been portrayed as something of a bellwether race for this year's midterm elections, giving renewed hope for Democrats. With 70 percent of precincts reporting, Critz had 53 percent of the vote compared with nearly 45 percent for Burns, the AP reports.

Pennsylvania's 12th was long occupied by the late Democratic Rep. John Murtha. Critz served as an aide for the powerful congressman, but the district has become increasingly conservative. Political prognosticators say the district represents the type of seats Republicans will have to win this November if they want to make a powerful comeback.

"If the Republican doesn't [win], I think us pundits in Washington are going to have to revise our thinking about whether this is a wave election year for Republicans," Chief Political Consultant Marc Ambinder said on CBSNews.com's "Washington Unplugged."

The race had "all the features of the contests we'll see in the fall," Ambinder said. "It's essentially a referendum on the economy, whose at fault for it and which solutions are the best."

Both candidates appealed to the district's conservative values, claiming to oppose abortion rights and gun control, as well as President Obama's health care plan. Burns pledged to push for the repeal of the new health care reforms.

Both the Democratic and Republican parties invested nearly $1 million each in the race, but the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has emphasized that the race was an uphill climb for Critz, noting that Pennsylvania's 12th was the only district in the nation where Sen. John Kerry won in the 2004 presidential election and Barack Obama lost in the 2008 election.

"This was the only race in the country today where a Democrat faced off against a Republican and the results are clear," DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen said in a statement. "Mark Critz focused on creating jobs for middle class families, while Republicans practiced the politics of fear and distortion."

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) issued a statement calling the race "undoubtedly disappointing." He ultimately, however, used the statement to admonish the Democratic establishment.

"This hard-fought race gave us an early preview of what Democrats will attempt to do in the fall in order to survive," Sessions said. "They will steer clear of publicly campaigning with President Obama and Speaker Pelosi, distance themselves from the Democratic agenda, and attempt to co-opt Republican positions on the issues."

House Republicans: "We've Got a Lot of Work To Do"

Results:

Roundup: All Winners and Losers
Specter Falls in Pa. Dem Primary to Joe Sestak
Rand Paul Wins Kentucky GOP Primary
Blanche Lincoln, Bill Halter Headed for Run-Off
Dem Wins Special Election for Murtha's Seat

Analysis:

The Surprises From Tuesday's Primaries
Specter's Loss Goes Beyond Anti-Incumbent Mood
Where do Tuesday's Winners Go from Here?
Who Had the Better Spin?

[davidrcooksey]

This District gets exactly what they deserve. They voted and now they can live with it. They put up with Murthas shenanigans for years and when they have a chance to make changes they put another Democrat in office. Again you get in life what you deserve, NOTHING.... It is hard for me to believe that anyone would vote for the Socialist agenda of the Democrat Party. When they pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform, just remember you voted this Democrat in and when you are sitting there with no job just remember you did it to yourself you dumbasses.

[booch221]

This hard-fought race gave us an early preview of what Republicans will to do in the fall--LOSE!!!

[formerpagirl]

I grew up in that area - although conservative in nature they are Democrats first. Unfortunately they no longer can see the Democrats for who they are - socialists - I don't care what Critz says, he will be a puppet for the Administration, Reid and Pelosi. It's sad - I wish Western PA would wake up and move beyond tradition. As my mother used to say: "If you can't listen, then you've got to feel." Obama HATES the people of Western PA - he cannot relate to hardworking, stable people. But I guess they will have to feel when he takes all their job opportunities away. It's sad!

[Will_F]

Don't feed the troll rafterman1.

[Will_F]

go back to the free republic/fox news fantasy land you came from troll.

[anotherview2-2009]

Voters in Pennsylvania like the direction the Obama Democrats are taking America. It is as simple as that. And if they are reepresentive of the country then the Democrats will not lose control of Congress.

This result should enegize the Democratic base. Rand's victory only tells us their is an anti-edtablishment mood. Critz tells us there is still a pro Democrat/Obama mood. This was the true bell weather election and it brings glad tidings to the Democrats.

[bradkt1]

What exactly has the Tea Party accomplished...outside of getting ONE CANDIDATE who espoused the Tea Party platform (Rand Paul) elected in Kentucky? The GOP wins in Massachusetts (Senate), New Jersey (Governor) and Virginia (Governor) were all by GOP candidates who ran as moderates and who ran good campaigns. The Democrats lost in Massachusetts because they fielded a lousy candidate (Martha Coakley) who ran a totally inept campaign...and then tried to blame her defeat on the Obama Administration when she did nothing to help herself. This special election in Pennsylvania was won by a Democrat. The Tea Party cost the GOP a House seat in New York (NY-23) that the GOP had held since he Civil War when they refused to back the GOP nominee and fielded a candidate who split the GOP vote.

The way I see it, the Tea Party has made an awful lot of noise and has achieved some pretty meager results so far. For the most part, the theme of these election results has been anti-incumbent, not an endorsement of the Tea Party agenda.

[jclark7613]

very well said

[richardbl-2009]

The GOP meltdown has begun. You all completely missed the point here. This is an ANTI-INCUMBENT ELECTION. You can't take toss-up seats with no incumbent for granted -- if you do, you're going to find yourselves with marginal gains in November.

For one, consider the one HUGE difference between Critz and Burns (AND in KY, Greyson and Paul) -- foreign policy. If a pro-war hawk like Burns can't beat a dove like Critz in an elderly district, what does that say about the prospects of your neo-con Palin buddies (like Burns) making inroads in November?

[dvargasr]

Republicans are SORE LOSERS!!
When they win is such a big deal, "they are taking the country back" and all the BS they keep saying. But if they lose invent a ton of excuses.

The politics of fear and distortion just lost another battle. People dont want your politics of hate and lies. People want a better country for all.

Get ready for your second Waterloo in November.

[MediaMadness]

Critz Beat a Republican For Murtha's Seat.

Sestak Beat Specter.


Lincoln is Forced into a Run Off.

Rand Paul: A Libertarian Posing as a [Tea Party Senator] Beat a Real Republican.

This Year will be a Hodge Podge Of Losses On Both Sides, this will Not be [1994]

Some Republicans are going to be Ousted this year as well.

John [Career Politician] McCain, will Lose to a Democrat.

Americans are Screaming For Term Limits, The Message is Crystal Clear.

[michelle_n_marshall]

so funny how you Democrats think you "scored"!
So you cut of your nose to spite your face!
See you in November!
And enjoy your choice!
You deserve everything you get!

[Will_F]

Go be a troll somewhere else troll.

[DavidB2009]

well done, PA. A state that doesnt let the right wing wackos scare them into voting for the party that sank this country's economy. People seem to forget the economic collapse occur in 2008 and began in 2002....who was in power then? brainwashing didnt work this time....

[livfreeordi]

The economy was doing just fine.. until 2007..

whioh was after Democrats took over Congress...and started spending like drunken sailors..as Democrats always do.

[pasmalltown]

by livfreeordi May 18, 2010 11:37 PM EDT
"The economy was doing just fine.. until 2007..."
-----------------------
I hope you're speaking for yourself here........unless I misunderstand what you mean when you say "the economy"...