Murtha gets primary challenger

Rep. John Murtha (R-Pa.) will face at least one primary challenger in 2010, as former naval officer Ryan Bucchianeri announced yesterday that he’ll take on the 35-year incumbent.

Bucchianeri last made headlines for missing an 18-yard game winning field goal as the kicker for the Navy football team.

Murtha has faced a steady drip of news reports questioning his appropriations habits, ranging from an airport in Western Pennsylvania to a contract-management company with ties to the Congressman’s brother.

Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) has repeatedly called for ethics investigations into Murtha’s earmarks, but has so far been unsuccessful.

Murtha has faced relatively safe re-election campaigns. He won more narrowly than usual in 2008 after he made controversial comments about racism in Western Pennsylvania.