Mark Critz Defeats Tim Burns

Democrat Mark Critz has defeated Republican challenger Tim Burns in the special election for the House seat formerly held by the late John Murtha in Pennsylvania’s 12th district:

Democrats will retain control of the seat held for decades by the late Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha after winning a special election to fill the final months of his term. Both parties viewed the contest as a test for the fall.
With 70 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday, Murtha aide Mark Critz had 53 percent of the vote compared with nearly 45 percent for businessman Tim Burns.

Critz and Burns will have a rematch in the November general election after also winning their parties’ nominations in the Pennsylvania primary.