3rd state lawmaker to run for Murphy’s congressional seat
Congressman Tim Murphy talks at a town hall meeting. Murphy recently resigned from his longtime post amid revelations of an extramarital affair during which the anti-abortion lawmaker reportedly urged his mistress to get an abortion.
Rep. Rick Saccone
Four Republicans, including a state lawmaker, are now running for a Southwestern Pennsylvania congressional seat that’s being vacated by GOP Congressman Tim Murphy amid revelations of an extramarital affair during which the anti-abortion lawmaker reportedly urged his mistress to get an abortion.
Fourth-term Rep. Rick Saccone of Elizabeth, Allegheny County, said Sunday night he’s suspending his U.S. Senate campaign to run for the 18th District seat from which Murphy will resign Oct. 21. Castle Shannon resident George Karpacs announced Monday he, too, has entered the race as a Republican.
State Sens. Guy Reschenthaler of Allegheny County and Kim Ward of Westmoreland County also are running for Murphy’s seat. Three Democrats had previously filed to challenge Murphy.
In a statement, Saccone said a “tragic tale” resulted in Murphy’s resignation.
“After much prayer and consideration in the short time available, we have decided to run for his congressional seat,” Saccone said Monday.
“We have all invested a lot of work to go to Washington to help President Trump drain the swamp.”
Saccone was elected to the state House in 2010, narrowly defeating incumbent David Levdansky.
Karpacs described himself as someone who was raised in a “God-fearing” family and said he would focus on the challenges facing working families and farmers.
“Having been employed on a working produce farm, I learned to respect more the work farmers do and the thin profit margins they have to live with,” he stated.
Gov. Tom Wolf must schedule a special election to fill the remainder of Murphy’s current two-year term. Next year’s primary and general elections will determine who holds the seat for the 2019-20 term.