Republicans Pick First-Time Candidate for Murtha Seat « The Washington Independent

By a nearly 2-1 margin, Republican conferees chose first-time candidate and small businessman Tim Burns to run in the May 18 special election for the seat formerly held by John Murtha. Democrats earlier this week selected their nominee — Mark Critz, Murtha’s former district director — and like Republicans they face an awkward situation as the candidate Critz defeated plans to run for the full term as a candidate in the regularly scheduled primary. But the Republicans, having stiffed 2008 candidate Bill Russell, have a little more angst ahead of them.