Apr 10, 2002 By Amy Karpinsky 2 min read

U.S. Rep. Frank Mascara (D-Charleroi) on Tuesday challenged campaign opponent U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Johnstown) to a debate, “anyplace or anytime.” Mascara, who is battling Murtha for the Democratic nomination in the 12th congressional district, issued the challenge during a stop at the Fayette County Courthouse to officially announce his candidacy.

“Jack is running and hiding,” Mascara said. A Murtha spokesman disputed that assertion, saying that plans are under way to schedule at least one debate.

Mascara said he originally asked for eight debates and the number was systematically reduced to two or one and is now at none. He said the eight debates were initially supposed to be held in each of the eight counties of the redrawn district. Mascara’s 20th District was dissolved and a new map was redrawn. Although Mascara’s home was placed in the 18th District, he opted to run against Murtha.

However, a ruling by a federal court on Monday ruled the redistricting unconstitutional, so it remains to be seen if the two seasoned veterans will still face each other in six weeks. The court ordered the state Legislature to come up with a new map within three weeks. However, as of Tuesday, both candidates were still campaigning for the nomination.

Mascara, 72, was a Washington County Commissioner before he was first elected to Congress in 1994. Murtha, 70, was first elected to Congress in 1974.

Brad Clemenson, a Murtha spokesman, said he is working to find a date for at least one debate. “We’re hoping to find a date to do a debate,” Clemenson said. “We’re looking for a date that will work for everybody.”