PA-18: RACE TO WATCH

Pittsburgh, PA, September 15, 2008 – Steve O’Donnell is in a “Race to Watch” according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.  The designation symbolizes strong DCCC commitment to Steve O’Donnell’s victory this fall.

“Our campaign has been working extremely hard and growing steadily for 15 months. The DCCC’s labeling of our race as a ‘Race to Watch’ validates all our hard work,” O’Donnell said. “I’m excited that the DCCC has thrown their full support behind me.  This tremendous rise in status gives national credence to what we have known locally for quite a while – Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District will send a Democrat to Congress this November.”

“Democrats have a strong candidate in Steve O’Donnell,” said Carrie James, regional press secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.  “Congressman Tim Murphy doesn't  represent the values of Pennsylvania families. He has been a reliable rubber stamp for President Bush’s failed policies in Iraq, is currently under investigation by the FBI for forcing his Congressional staff participate in campaign activities.  Support for congressman Murphy has eroded in the district and it’s time for a change.”

This recognition comes on the heels of a major endorsement by the United Steelworkers International Union, one of the area’s most active and influential unions.  Several local papers and one national newspaper also ran a story late last week citing a report naming Republican incumbent Tim Murphy amongst Congress’s most corrupt members.  The report cited the on-going Department of Justice investigation into Murphy’s use of his Congressional staff for campaign activities as the primary reason for this designation.