Critz v Shuster?

Mark Critz is expected to run against another sitting congressman after redistricting next year, but not necessarily fellow Democrat Jason Altmire.

A source close to Critz says the Johnstown man may move elsewhere in Cambria County -- perhaps Richland Township -- to take on incumbent Republican Bill Shuster. But that is if the final redistricting map is similar to the guesstimate by the Cook Political Report (above) in March, which stretches a toe of Altmire's 4th District into Johnstown in order to pit the Democrats together. The thought is that Critz, Jack Murtha's former aide, would do well in Greene and Fayette counties if Shuster's district picks them up. (Without them, the current makeup of the 9th is overwhelmingly GOP-friendly, with a Cook PVI currently of R+17.)

Shuster's office had no comment. The 9th District incumbent, who has been in office since 2001, is said to be among the Pa Republicans taking a leading role in the redistricting process. A joint state House/Senate committee hearing on the process is set for Thursday morning in Cranberry, hosted by House state government committee chair Daryl Metcalfe.