A Little Neighborly Love

Dem delegation seems to back Critz; Altmire hasn't asked for their support.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 | 12:43 p.m.

Many PA Dems "hope the underdog" Rep. Mark Critz (D) "will eke out a primary victory later this month." Critz: "I guess what I can tell you is I'm still hanging out in the Pennsylvania corner (of the House floor)."

Many House Dems "remain loyal to Critz because they revered his late boss and predecessor, Rep.John Murtha (D). Rep. Jason Altmire (D), meanwhile, never cozied up" to other Dems in the delegation. "He still takes heat from them for his vote against the health care bill two years ago."

"Most Democrats in the delegation emphasized their neutrality, at least publicly." Rep. Mike Doyle(D-14): "I'm Switzerland. I think the position of most of the delegation is we're going to make sure whoever wins the primary wins the general election."

"Last week, Rep. Robert Brady (D-01) broke ranks and backed Critz," saying he had donated to Critz's campaign as well. PA Dems "view Brady as the unofficial dean of their delegation, and his endorsement carries symbolic weight. ... Aides argued that Brady's support shows where" many PA Dems "stand on the race: More than two years after Murtha's death, many Members are loyal to Critz." One PA Dem staffer: "Most people are rooting for Mark. There's clearly a history. A lot of Members worked with Mark when he was a staffer. Mr. Murtha was beloved by the delegation, and I think that merits a certain loyalty."

Critz: "When I got through that special election, I was adopted by a lot of senior Members. In the Pennsylvania corner, those guys really took me under their wing. Even though I was Jack Murtha's guy, I was still a rookie."

"Meanwhile, Altmire staked out a distinctly different path in Congress." His decision to vote against Dems' health care overhaul irked Dems "who felt he held them out to dry with his last-minute and closely held decision to vote 'nay.' ... These days, instead of hanging out" in the PA corner, "Altmire sits with fellow" Blue Dogs during votes. "And as of last week, Altmire said he hasn't asked anyone in the delegation for support."

Despite their defense of Critz against a misleading ad put out by the Altmire campaign last week, many Members "remain quiet about their support" in the race.

Dem consultant Daren Berringer: "With no statewide campaign having a major ground game to drive turnout, this is all going to come down to Critz and his endorsements. Organized labor has wanted to send Altmire a payback message for a while, and if they run their operation at full tilt, Critz could pull this out" (Toeplitz, Roll Call, 4/3).