GOP challenger out-raises Murtha in quarter

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—A Republican challenger to Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania has raised more money than the incumbent in recent months, but also has more debt and has raised less overall.

William Russell, a former Army lieutenant colonel who relocated to Murtha's district to run against him, raised nearly $670,000 in the fundraising quarter that ended June 30.

Murtha, a Democrat, raised more than $119,000. But overall for the campaign, Murtha has raised more than $1.6 million while Russell has raised more than $918,000.

Russell's campaign has more than $242,000 in debt. He has nearly $270,000 in cash, while Murtha has more than $644,000 in cash and about $3,700 in debt.

Russell left the Army two years short of retirement and moved from the Washington region to Johnstown, Pa., to challenge Murtha. But he had some early problems in his race.

In February, a state judge ruled he did not collect enough signatures to make the ballot. Russell blamed bad weather and other factors. He later received enough write-in votes in the April primary to get his name on the ballot for the November election.

Murtha, first elected in 1974, is a frequent target of Republicans because of his opposition to the Iraq war and the millions of federal dollars he's brought to his district.