Mark Critz’s 12th district seat is Republicans’ top pickup opportunity in Pennsylvania, and among their top targets nationally. They’re striking while the iron is hot, and Critz is still depleted of resources after a hard-fought primary with Jason Altmire.
A new ad by the National Republican Congressional Committee hammers Critz for his opposition to efforts to repeal the health care law, in light of his opposition to the measure during his 2010 campaigns.
“When Mark Critz first ran for office, Mark Critz said he opposed Obamacare and its cuts to Medicare. But since then, Critz has opposed efforts to repeal or defund Obamacare 20 times,” a narrator says.
And they haven’t even gotten into his remarks on the issue during the 2012 primary. Labor groups partly supported Critz in retaliation for Altmire’s vote against the legislation.
The spot will air on Fox News in the Pittsburgh market for two weeks. The NRCC is also running the ad on PoliticsPA.
Not to worry for Critz; the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently added him to its “Frontline” program for incumbent protection, and have booked $2 million in airtime in the Pittsburgh market in the fall.
These are just a few of a number of updates on the race. This morning, the conservative Club for Growth endorsed Critz’s Republican opponent, Allegheny County attorney Keith Rothfus.
“The Club for Growth PAC strongly supports Keith Rothfus for Congress,” said Club for Growth President Chris Chocola. “Keith will be an ally of Senator Pat Toomey and will fight to cut spending, limit government, and increase economic freedom. Congressman Mark Critz is nothing more than a rubber stamp for the failed Obama agenda that has cost western Pennsylvania thousands of jobs.”
Critz’s camp parried the attack onto the issue of trade with China.
“Keith Rothfus was endorsed by the Club for Growth because of his support of free trade agreements that ship American jobs overseas. The Club for Growth advocates increased trade with China and opposes any attempt to end China’s unfair policies that are killing American manufacturing jobs,” read a Critz press release.
“Mark Critz opposes unfair trade agreements that ship jobs to countries like China while Keith Rothfus is on the record supporting them,” Critz spokesman Mike Mikus said.