Running for a deceased congressman seat by a spouse has become a tradition over the years, I guess the most famous is the wife of Sonny Bono who died after a tragic skiing accident. The Pittsburgh-Tribune Review is reporting that Joyce Murtha is being urged to run for her late husband, John Murtha’s seat.
John and wife Joyce Murtha - Life Magazine
Family members, particularly spouses, assuming a late politician's seat is not unusual in American politics.
Among possible candidates to replace Rep. John Murtha, the Johnstown Democrat who died Monday, is his wife, Joyce.
“While people have been mindful that this is a difficult time for the family, many have called to suggest Joyce as the perfect person to hold her husband's seat,” Murtha spokesman Matthew Mazonkey said. Murtha represented Pennsylvanias 12th Congressional District. His term expires at the end of this year.
Of the 260 women have who served in the U.S. House or Senate, 46 were widows who directly succeeded their husbands.
via Support builds for Murtha’s wife taking seat – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
