Joyce Murtha Won't Run For Late Husband's Congressional Seat

According to a representative for the Murtha for Congress Committee, Joyce Murtha will not run for the congressional seat left vacant by her husband.

Murtha decided not to seek the nomination to finish her husband's Congressional term because she feels that it is too soon after his death to be on the campaign trail, the representative said.

Her decision not to run likely turns the fight for the Democratic nod into a two-person affair between former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel and former state treasurer Barbara Hafer -- two longtime players in Keystone State politics, the Washington Post reported.

Another Cambria County Democrat also announced his intentions to replace the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha in Congress.

Ed Cernic Jr., a businessman and current controller for the county, said he will also run for the 12th District seat.

Cernic made the announcement at the Cambria County Courthouse, just a few feet from his office where he keeps watch over the county's finances, in front of a crowd of supporters, family and friends.

While Cernic is well-known on the county level, he may be considered the underdog. Other Democratic candidates such as Hafer and Singel may have better name recognition -- but Cernic said he doesn't seem to mind.

For the first time since John Murtha was sworn into office in 1976, Republicans said they feel they have their best chance to claim the seat, particularly since John McCain won the district in the 2008 presidential election.

As of Monday, Army Col. William Russell, who ran the most recent campaign against Murtha, announced he is interested in both the unexpired term as well as the two-year term starting in 2011.

Also announcing his interest in the seat is Johnstown native Tim Burns, who now lives in Washington County.

Stay with WJACTV.com and WJAC-TV News for continuing coverage.

Previous Stories: February 22, 2010: Another Democrat Announces Candidacy For Murtha's Seat February 19, 2010: Waiting For Joyce Murtha's Decision To Run February 19, 2010: Johnstown Native Announces Candidacy To Fill Late Rep. Murtha's Seat February 18, 2010: Naval Hospital Reviewing Late Rep. Murtha's Care February 17, 2010: Murtha Funeral Security Called Success February 17, 2010: Mourners Gather To Bid Final Farewell To Rep. Murtha February 16, 2010: Filling US Rep John Murtha's Seat In This Difficult Time February 16, 2010: Former Pa. Treasurer Hafer To Seek Murtha's Seat February 15, 2010: Veterans Remember U.S. Rep. John Murtha February 14, 2010: Thousands Say Goodbye To US Rep. John Murtha February 13, 2010: Preparations Made For US Rep. John Murtha's Funeral February 13, 2010: Support Growing For Joyce Murtha To Take Over Late Husband's Congressional Seat February 12, 2010: Johnstown Students Learn About US Rep. John Murtha February 12, 2010: Detours, Shuttle Service Planned For Murtha's Funeral Services February 10, 2010: Funeral Plans Finalized For U.S. Rep. John Murtha February 10, 2010: Wa. Rep Plans To Look Into Murtha's Surgery February 9, 2010: Vets React To News Of Rep. Murtha's Death February 8, 2010: Rep. Shuster Reacts To Rep. Murtha's Death February 8, 2010: Rep. Glenn Thompson: Murtha's Expertise Will Be Missed February 8, 2010: Congressman John Murtha Dies At Age 77 February 5, 2010: Murtha Remains Hospitalized; Marks 36th Anniversary In U.S. House December 22, 2009: Murtha Discusses Support For New Taxes, Federal Health Care Bill December 2, 2009: Murtha Reacts To Troop Surge November 13, 2009: Murtha Expecting More Defense Jobs To Come To Alleghenies November 1, 2009: Local Lawmakers Weigh In On Health Care October 13, 2009: Murtha Backs Obama On War In Afghanistan August 27, 2009: Murtha Feels Health Care Bill Will Be Passed By Year's End August 19, 2009: Congressman John Murtha And Martin-Baker America Announce T-38 Project July 16, 2009: Congressman Murtha Unveils Plans For Defense Spending July 10, 2009: Court Documents In Criminal Investigation Point To Earmarks Provided To Windber Defense Contractor July 9, 2009: Ex-Contractor With Murtha Ties Pleads Guilty To Kickback Charges May 1, 2009: Watchdog Group Wants Murtha Investigated; Local Officials React April 28, 2009: Is Johnstown A Poster Child For Earmarks? April 14, 2009: Judge Dismisses Marine's Defamation Lawsuit Against Murtha February 19, 2009: Embattled Lobbying Group Connected To John Murtha Closing February 19, 2009: Lobbying Group With Ties To Murtha Calling It Quits February 10, 2009: Lobbying Firm With Murtha Ties Raided by FBI in November February 5, 2009: Congressman John Murtha Celebrates 35 Years In Office January 29, 2009: Shake Up Possible For Group With Kuchera Ties January 29, 2009: Possible Shakeup At Firm Tied To John Murtha January 25, 2009: WJAC Uncovers Financial Relationship Between Kucheras, Congressman January 22, 2009: Murtha: OK To Send Gitmo Prisoners To Pennsylvania January 22, 2009: Rural Residents React To Congressman Murtha's Comments November 18, 2008: Federal Judges To Rule On Murtha Deposition November 5, 2008: Murtha Vows To Continue Opposing War In Iraq November 5, 2008: Murtha Wins Reelection November 3, 2008: Clinton To Back Murtha At Johnstown Visit October 28, 2008: GOP Makes Last-Minute Effort to Unseat John Murtha October 26, 2008: Congressman John Murtha Reacts To Tightening Polls October 21, 2008: Murtha's 'Redneck' Comment Gets People Talking October 16, 2008: Congressman's Race Comment Sparks Controversy October 16, 2008: Murtha Under Fire For Linking Racism, Voters October 15, 2008: Congressman Murtha Center Of Political Controversy September 30, 2008: Murtha Says Financial Plan Can Be Rescued September 30, 2008: Murtha Explains His Vote For Bailout Plan September 25, 2008: Slander Lawsuit To Be Filed Against Congressman Murtha August 14, 2008: Murtha Tours New Johnstown Defense Facility August 6, 2008: Russell Makes Play For Murtha's Job May 2, 2008: Murtha Comments on "Mission Accomplished" April 16, 2008: Murtha Discusses Why McCain Shouldn't Be Elected March 18, 2008: Rep. Murtha Endorses Sen. Hillary Clinton For President March 17, 2008: Murtha Addresses Housing Collapse, Fed Rate Cut February 19, 2008: Murtha 'Still Evaluating' Obama, Clinton February 7, 2008: Murtha Prepares War Spending Bill December 1, 2007: Murtha: Iraq Troop Surge Is Working November 19, 2007: Murtha Has New Competition November 19, 2007: Army Vet Vying For Murtha's Congressional Seat October 8, 2007: Murtha Speaks In Johnstown About Implementing War Tax September 29, 2007: Murtha To Give Sworn Deposition September 17, 2007: Murtha Compares Iraq To Vietnam September 17, 2007: Murtha About To Speak On Iraq August 4, 2007: Murtha: King of Earmarks May 25, 2007: Murtha Debates Heavily For Iraq Funding Bill April 2, 2007: More Jobs Coming To Cambria County March 9, 2007: Murtha: House Dems Face Uphill Battle To End Iraq War February 23, 2007: Murtha Honored As Friend Of Labor December 4, 2006: Murtha Comments On Rumsfeld Memo November 8, 2006: Murtha's Influence Stretched Nationwide During Midterms November 8, 2006: Congressman Murtha Retains 12th District House Seat In Landslide Victory Over Irey October 13, 2006: Decision 2006: Irey Calls On Murtha To Debate October 2, 2006: Murtha Rally Brings Out Veterans September 27, 2006: Irey Says She Has "Issues" With Murtha's Fundraising Practices September 20, 2006: Santorum, Murtha Make Watchdog Group's "Corrupt List" August 18, 2006: 12th District Race Draws National Attention on "Hardball" August 3, 2006: Congressman Murtha Debate: Dueling Protests August 2, 2006: Murtha On The Defense August 2, 2006: Soldier Accuses Murtha Of Defamation June 21, 2006: Local Soldiers React To Murtha June 21, 2006: Local Soldiers React To Murtha's Comments June 20, 2006: Murtha, Irey Get National Attention June 12, 2006: Amidst Shockwaves, Murtha Returns To Washington June 1, 2006: Murtha "Outraged" Over Marine Scandal May 22, 2006: Murtha Receives National Award May 17, 2006: Murtha Addresses War In Iraq April 20, 2006: Murtha Speaks On Rumsfeld Controversy April 19, 2006: Local's React To Murtha's Stance On Rumsfeld March 22, 2006: Congressman Murtha's Challenger Announces Candidacy March 5, 2006: Rep. John Murtha Back On National Television January 16, 2006: Congressman Murtha Calls Out The President December 21, 2005: Murtha On President Bush's Speech December 13, 2005: Rep. Murtha Vs. Pres. Bush December 2, 2005: Murtha Believes U.S. Generals Fear Bush Administration November 22, 2005: Murtha In Johnstown November 22, 2005: Military Families Weigh In On Murtha's Comments November 21, 2005: Guardsman And Military Families Respond To Congressman Murtha's Speech November 21, 2005: Murtha's Words Stirring A Nation June 22, 2005: Congressman Targeted By National Media? June 15, 2005: Republicans And Other Leaders Stand Up For Murtha June 14, 2005: Ethical Questions Surround Congressman Murtha February 25, 2005: Congressman To Protect NDIC Future February 14, 2005: Congressman Murtha Speaks Out To Save Social Security & VA Benefits February 11, 2005: Congressman Murtha Speaks Out Against President's Budget Proposal July 23, 2004: Rep. 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