Family members, particularly spouses, assuming a late politician’s seat is not unusual in American politics.
Among possible candidates to replace Rep. John Murtha, the Johnstown Democrat who died Monday, is his wife, Joyce.
“While people have been mindful that this is a difficult time for the family, many have called to suggest Joyce as the perfect person to hold her husband’s seat,” Murtha spokesman Matthew Mazonkey said. Murtha represented Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. His term expires at the end of this year.
Of the 260 women have who served in the U.S. House or Senate, 46 were widows who directly succeeded their husbands.
Rep. Mary Bono, R-Calif., was elected to the House in 1998 after her husband, Sonny, died in a skiing accident and has been re-elected six times in highly competitive races. Margaret Chase Smith, a Maine Republican, had a long career in the House and Senate after voters chose her in a special election in 1940 to fill the House seat of her late husband, Clyde.
Gov. Ed Rendell will decide when to conduct a special election for Murtha’s seat. He told reporters he is leaning toward the May 18 primary to keep costs down.
The state Democratic and Republican parties each would choose a nominee. Independent candidates also could enter the race.
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