A Marine from Centre County who recently ran for Congress was killed in fighting this week in Afghanistan.

Bill Cahir, 40, was a Bellefonte native who came home to Centre County last year and ran for the 5th district congressional seat.

At age 34, and in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 , terrorist attacks, Cahir left a career in journalism and signed up for the Marine Corps Reserves.

Cahir lost his bid in the Democratic primary last year and went back to Marine Corps duty to serve on the front lines.

His death in Afghanistan comes as his wife is expecting the birth of twins.