Murtha getting strong GOP challenge

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., is in a tight re-election race in southwestern Pennsylvania district after making controversial comments, observers say.

Murtha, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and the influential chairman of the House of Representatives Defense Appropriations subcommittee, is fielding a strong challenge from Republican William Russell after Murtha characterized voters his district as racists and rednecks, the Washington publication Politico reported Monday.

A poll from the GOP firm Susquehanna Polling and Research showed Murtha, 76, leading Russell by 5 percentage points, 46 percent to 41 percent, with 54 percent of the respondents saying it was time for someone else to represent them in Congress. The Republican poll indicated 35 percent said Murtha deserves to be re-elected.

"Even before he made those remarks, this has been the sleeper campaign of the season. Murtha has been out of touch with the district," Russell campaign manager Peg Luksik told Politico. "Everyone says the same thing -- I have voted for Jack before, but not anymore."

Pennsylvania pollster Terry Madonna said he "would be shocked" if Murtha didn't win but added the Democratic has been "erratic lately" and likely can't count on coattails from Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama in his conservative, rural district.