Critz, Burns duel for seat in Congress
A heated battle between incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Mark Critz of Johnstown and Republican businessman Tim Burns of Eighty-Four to serve the 12th Congressional District was too close to call at press time, according to unofficial results. Critz and Burns squared off in a May special election with Critz garnering the win by a 53 to 45-percent vote to succeed his former boss, U.S. Rep. John Murtha who had died earlier in the year.
However, the vote margin was narrowed to a virtual dead heat in the general election with the communities of the 12th Congressional District, which encompasses all of Greene County and parts of Fayette, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Armstrong, Cambria and Indiana counties, seemingly split between the two candidates.
With nearly 90-percent of the districts reporting figures to their respective election bureaus, Critz was leading Burns by a slim vote margin of 84,794 to 82,079.
Critz was leading the vote count in Fayette, Allegheny, Cambria, Greene, and Washington counties, with Burns ahead in the ballot count in Westmoreland, Somerset, Indiana and Armstrong counties, according to unofficial counts.
Neither Critz nor Burns could be reached for comment.
Both candidates are graduates of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
After earning his degree in computer science, Burns started a computer software business in his home that grew into a company that employed 400 before it was sold to NDC Health in 2003.
During a recent interview with the Herald-Standard Editorial Board, a political newcomer, Burns said entering the political race was not a choice, but rather done out of necessity.
“I never had any intention of getting into politics,” he said. “But you look around the country and this district and see that folks are tired of government; they are worried about the uncontrolled spending and loss of jobs.”
Critz held several jobs in the private sector before being tapped as Murtha’s director of economic policy.
“It was so gratifying that we could play a role in moving an area forward or helping someone solve a problem,” he said during the editorial board interview. “I had to run for the people of this district.”
With the unofficial vote count indicating that Republican candidate Tom Corbett will replace Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell and GOP candidate, former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey likely to fill the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania was being closely watched to see if the 19 U.S. House contested races would similarly trend.
The congressional candidates were split on a number of issues.
Critz was elected after the Congressional vote was taken on the controversial healthcare bill and said while he would not have supported it, he would not vote to repeal it as his challenger, Burns, said he favored.
“Health care is a very complex issue,” said Critz. “There are pieces of this bill we need to correct.
“I don’t think we need to go backwards. We need to sit down and see how we can go forward.”
The two also have differing opinions about extending tax cuts implemented in 2003 during the Bush administration.
The legislation known as the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act reduced individual tax rates. It is set to expire Jan. 1.
“In this economy we can’t afford a tax increase,” said Burns. “Without doing anything come the beginning of the year, every American is going to be stuck with one of the largest tax increases in American history.”
Critz said he supported the extension of tax cuts for the middle class including individuals that make up to $200,000 and households up to $250,000.