By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com

A key Barbara Hafer ally said Monday night that Mark Critz‘s placement on the special election ballot to succeed John Murtha does little to change the outlook of her campaign, reiterating that she remains the party’s strongest candidate to defeat Republicans and hold onto the seat.

“I think at the end of the day, that conclusions will be reached by not only state committee people who voted today, but even the electorate,” said Jack Hanna, the party’s Southwest Caucus Chairman and Hafer supporter.

The state party’s Executive Committee voted Monday to nominate Critz for the May 18 special election ballot, but Hafer still has the option of running for in the primary. Although the former state Treasurer’s campaign didn‘t respond for comment Monday, she has indicated she planned to continue her run even if she didn‘t receive the nomination. Hanna said it was his “very strong sense” that she would carry through on her pledge.

The two-time statewide office holder received 18 of the Executive Committee’s 50 votes Monday, 12 fewer than Critz‘s 30. She and her supporters were scrambling as late as Monday afternoon to pull together votes.

Hanna said he didn‘t think Hafer was far from receiving enough support to earn the nomination.

“A six-vote turnaround would have made the difference,” the caucus chair said. “And I think there were six votes there that were very strongly considering Hafer.”

Many of the committee members interviewed by PoliticsPA said Critz‘s support from local Democrats — he won the recommendation from 12th District party members over the weekend — and tenure as a former top Murtha aide made him an easy choice for many of them.

They seemed unswayed by criticism from Hafer‘s campaign that Critz remains untested and, most importantly, unvetted for the campaign. Her allies have pointed to reports that showed Critz involved with a company that has faced tax trouble as an example of the kind of information Republicans could use against him in an election.

Hanna reiterated that criticism again Monday.

“A reasonable, rational, deliberate review of the two candidates would have led one to conclude Hafer is the obvious choice to best serve the Democratic Party in keeping and holding the seat,” he said. “Mark Critz bring weaknesses that have yet to be explained.”

Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic Jr. and former Naval officer Ryan Bucchianeri have also indicated they will seek the party’s nomination.