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Could Cernic get the nod?

Mark Critz has electability issues. Barbara Hafer has pissed people off.

Could Ed Cernic Jr. end up winning Monday?

It’s not as crazy it sounds. The Cambria County controller, who was seen by many as little more than a spoiler candidate, could emerge as a something of a compromise candidate for state Democratic Party leaders flummoxed by how best to hold the late John Murtha’s seat in the 12th Congressional District. One high-level party insider said Sunday that it was a distinct possibility Cernic might end up with the executive committee’s endorsement when it votes Monday.

“Barbara’s f—-d this up to the point that we’re looking hard at Cernic now,” he said. “He certainly enjoyed a good relationship with the congressman, he’s well respected. There’s nothing that seems to stand out in any earth-shattering way.”

In some ways, it would be a logical pick. With a long career in politics, Cernic is the prototypical pro-life, pro-gun Democrat.

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” another party insider said.

Cernic certainly thinks it makes sense.

“I believe that I’m the only Democratic candidate who appeals to a broad base of the Democratic Party,” he said Sunday. “Republicans are going to be targeting this district, there is no question about it. I can stand up with my pro-life, pro-family, pro-sportsmen stances  and beat the Republicans.”

On the other hand, Cernic presents Democrats with one of the same problems they face in Critz—a candidate who’s never been vetted with widespread scrutiny. And one high-level union leader said organized labor would have a problem with Cernic if he gets the nomination.

“He is not a labor-friendly candidate,” the official said. “We might just stay out of it. We’re not too excited as it is.”

Cernic, for his part, was happy to move beyond the “spoiler” moniker, if only for a moment.

“All the people in this race are nice people,” he said. “It comes down to our beliefs, our electability and how we’ll move forward.”

March 7, 2010 at 11:23 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Barbara Hafer, Ed Cernic, Mark Critz, PA-12

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