By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com
Republican Tim Burns’ campaign Thursday won the endorsement of an influential conservative blog and local county committee, giving it an important boost as the businessman vies for the GOP’s nomination to replace John Murtha.
The support from RedState, in particular, helps validate Burns’ conservative credentials against opponent Bill Russell, a former Army officer who is a favorite of many Republican grassroots activists. Russell made national headlines in 2008 when polling showed him in a dead heat against Murtha, but the longtime congressman eventually won easily by 16 points.
In a post explaining its endorsement, the blog wrote Russell “drastically underperformed” against Murtha while citing potential difficulties he might have changing his campaign’s anti-Murtha message.
“ … Bill Russell appears to have had no campaign plan whatsoever other than to run against Murtha,” the post’s authors wrote.
Also Thursday, the Somerset County Republican Committee, by an overwhelming margin, officially endorsed Burns. Its support means when Republicans in the 12th Congressional District gather to nominate a candidate for the May 18 special election, the county’s eight conferees will have to vote for the Eighty Four businessman.
One hundred and thirty-four conferees from nine counties will vote at the meeting.
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Tags: Bill Russell for congress, Tim Burns, Tim Burns for congress, Tim Burns Murtah, Tim Burns RedState
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Tim Burns is an excellent candidate. He is hard working, principled and solid on issues. There is no need to knock his opponent. I have spoken with Tim personally and I believe he is simply the right person at the right time for the people of his district.
Tim Burns has a great grasp of the difficulties the 12th district faces, he’s lived his whole life in and operated a successful business in this district – he knows what it takes to create jobs! He will take his message of fiscal responsibility to DC. Jobs and the unsustainable spending are foremost in the voters’ minds, and we trust him on these issues because he’s proven he understands both of those issues.
I met Tim and was immediately impressed. He’s got my vote. Future star.
I sat down with Tim at CPAC and after listening to why he was running and what he stood for, I decided to support his candidacy. I wish every district had someone like Tim to represent them.
Tim Burns is the PEOPLE’s candidate. He lives in the district, serves the community and organizes Tea Parties! He understands job creation and the role of government. While the other guy seems like a good candidate, too, we have a real opportunity to have the voice of the people heard for once, rather than someone who will vote STRICTLY with the Republicans everytime simply because they vetted him to do so.
I was fortunate enough to meet Tim Burns at CPAC….what an AWEsome Congressman he will make for the people of District 12 in Pennsylvania! I live in Florida so unfortunately I cannot vote for Tim but if I lived in PA/CD-12 you can bet Tim Burns would have MY vote!!
There’s a reason why so many people are backing Tim – he is exactly the kind of leader we need in DC; people recognize that immediately after meeting him.
Tim Burns provides the constituents of District 12 a true CONSERVATIVE candidate. I have seen Tim speak at the Washington County Tea Party and a Healthcare Townhall in Washington with fellow patriot Angela.. Tim is good for Western PA and the USA…
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My vote is for Tim Burns.
Go Tim!
[...] who said during an interview Monday that he’s confident he’ll win the party’s nomination, received a boost late last week when he received the endorsement of the Somerset County Republican Committee and the influential [...]
Tim Burns will be that one special Conservative Congressman who stands by his base. He will never shame us in any controversy, nor will he stand by and watch others.
I can assure you that during the 2006 race then Candidate Bill Russell held the views of passing Amnesty on to the illegal aliens here in America. I personally persuaded him to change that message.
Ed McGarvey
It was the 2008 Race which Bill Russell had the agenda of supporting Amnesty, Sorry
Ed McGarvey
BILL RUSSELL FOR CONGRESS.COM ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF ITS WEBSITE BILLRUSSELLFORCONGRESS.COM
Johnstown, PA – The billrussellforcongress.com website today announced the launch of its website, the online resource center for news and information about the activities of Tim Burns for Congress and the Pennsylvania Republican Party. BillRussellforCongress.com will draw out the comparisons between the Tim Burns for Congress campaign and the Bill Russell for Congress campaign. Bill Russell is better equipped than Tim Burns to advance the ideals of freedom and to help lead our nation and the 12th Congressional District to greatness again. By harnessing the power of teinternet we can spread our message to the 12th Congressional District and keep the voters informed. The site also features news updates and archives, a multimedia gallery and a blog page. Billrussellforcongress.com will be updated regularly to include the latest news and information about the 12th Congressional District races.
Folks: Burns will stand by his base? He hasn’t contributed to the GOP or any candidates. He doesn’t vote, while our men in harm’s way find ways to vote. He is an out-of-touch country club guy. Who is selecting these un-electable candidates? Who vets them? He doesn’t even want the job, as he has said in several speeches. We need someone who fights for the interests of our District like Mr. Murtha did. I agree 100% with the Russell Brigade, Burns is not ready for prime-time.
I have personally met both Russell and Burns. I don’t get the impression that either are “razor” sharp….not saying they are dumb!!
Burns has lots of money and that’s it. If changing the country was so important, why didn’t he take a hiatus from his business several years ago and run? I don’t get a warm and fuzzy about people who run because they have nothing better to do. The country does not need another millionaire congressman. Period.
Russell is not the guy either so I am between a rock and a hard place.