#pa08

Perhaps the most likely target for elimination is the 12th congressional district, which includes all of Green County, and parts of Allegheny, Armstrong, Cambria, Fayette, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties. The southwestern district was represented by the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha, who held the seat for more than two decades. Following Murtha's death in February 2010, Mark Critz, D-Pa., took over his district in a special election. "There is a distinct possibly that (District 12) could be eliminated entirely," said Thomas Baldino, professor of political science at Wilkes University. Madonna said because the upcoming redistricting is in the Republicans' hands, they will want to protect the 7th, 8th and 11th districts. Those seats are held by Republican U.S. Reps. Pat Meehan, Mike Fitzpatrick and Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., respectively. All three are first-term congressmen. The 7th and 8th districts are in the southeastern portion of the state near Philadelphia, while the 11th district is in the northeastern portion.