Murphy Meets With Norwin-Area Republicans

McKeesport Daily News

U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, came to the Norwin area to seek support in his bid for a sixth term from the 18th Congressional District.

He met Saturday with 30 Republicans at the Holiday Inn Express in North Huntingdon Township.

The meeting was organized by Chuck and Rosemary Horvat, GOP committee members from Penn Township. It was closed to the press and Murphy was tied up with other commitments after the meeting.

“Congressman Murphy is leading the fight to cut spending, grow jobs, and stand up for Southwestern Pennsylvania values,” his chief of staff Susan Mosychuk said. “Tim’s record of service is more than just the votes he casts in Congress, it is also his dedication to the families he represents. No one is more active in the community or working harder on their behalf.”

Those at the North Huntingdon meeting received a two-page case for Murphy.

The handout detailed 19 votes against President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act; opposition to the “cap and trade” energy tax; and support of the GOP “cut, cap and balance” approach to spending that includes a balanced-budget constitutional amendment.

Murphy also claimed a 100 percent record against abortion and in favor of Second Amendment rights.

Murphy faces GOP primary opposition for the first time, from former Senate aide and Heritage Foundation researcher Evan Feinberg of Upper St. Clair.

“I want to provide integrity and candor to the people of Western Pennsylvania,” Feinberg told the Westmoreland County Conservative Coalition in November.

The 18th was revamped by the General Assembly last year to take in part of Greene County and an expanded portion of Washington County. It formerly covered part of Beaver and still has parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

It covers West Jefferson Hills, Norwin and all of Elizabeth Forward, where some precincts had been in the 12th and 14th Districts.

Murphy’s meeting coincided with new ads by the Club for Growth Political Action Committee.

“He claims he’s fighting for Pennsylvania, but in Washington, he’s supporting liberal pro-union legislation and wasteful spending,” said Club for Growth president Chris Chocola

His PAC did not endorse a candidate in the 18th, but Feinberg had links to the ads on his Facebook page.

Murphy supporters also have run ads. The American Chemistry Council bought $500,000 worth of airtime.

In May the council hailed Murphy, Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Everett, and Democratic lawmakers from Minnesota and California for co-sponsoring the “Infrastructure, Jobs and Energy Independence Act of 2011.”

“We want clean air and water, we want to see our roads and bridges fixed, and we want cleaner power plants that lower energy prices and don’t pollute our environment,” Murphy said in May about “a comprehensive plan to take back our energy future and create millions of new jobs.”

Read more: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailynewsmckeesport/news/s_776828.html