Barbara Hafer, former state auditor general and state treasurer, confirmed Monday that she has decided to enter the race to succeed Rep. John Murtha in the 12th Congressional District.
Ms. Hafer, who lives in Indiana, Pa., told the Post-Gazette last week that she was considering the race. On Monday, she said that after conferring with Democratic leaders in the district, she decided to go forward. She said, however, that one thing that would change her mind against a candidacy would be if the congressman’s widow, Joyce Murtha, were to decide to run for the seat.
“I wouldn’t run against Joyce,” she said.
Mrs. Murtha’s potential candidacy has been the object of speculation, but she has not commented on any political issues while her family prepares to bury the veteran congressman today. Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Ceraso, former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel and state Sen. John Wozniak have also been mentioned as potential Democratic candidates for the seat.
Mr. Wozniak said Sunday that he would not have any statement on his plans until after the funeral.
Ms. Hafer said she received a generally positive response in a canvass of Democratic leaders in the district.
“I’ve been talking to people this last week,” she said. “Until I talked to the majority of the committee people, I couldn’t make a decision.”
Ms. Hafer said she was optimistic about her chances for the seat in part because she ran well in the district’s communities in her campaigns for statewide office. Ms
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