Former Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel said Friday he will seek to replace the late John Murtha in the 12th Congressional District, according to the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat.

Singel is the second Demcorat to declare in the race since Murtah’s death, joining former state Treasurer Barbara Hafer. Former Naval officer Ryan Bucchianeri was already running for the seat in a primary against Murtha.

But Singel, like Hafer before him, said he would bow out of the race if Murtha’s widow, Joyce, decided to run for the special election.

The former gubernatorial candidate will run in both the special election to fill out the remainder of Murtha’s term and in the party’s primary to win the nomination for the general election. The special and primary elections will be held on May 18.

The party’s nominee for the special election will be chosen by the state Democratic Party’s 50-member executive committee, after receiving a recommendation from conferees in the 12th District.