Tim Burns | |
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Republican nominee for U.S. House of Representatives |
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Opponent(s) | Mark Critz (D) |
Incumbent | John Murtha (deceased) |
Personal details | |
Born | April 14, 1968 Morgantown, West Virginia United States |
Political party | Republican |
Children | two sons, Brock and Trent |
Residence | Johnstown, Pennsylvania |
Occupation | Businessman |
Religion | Roman Catholic Church |
Website | Tim Burns for Congress Tim Burns for Senate |
Tim Burns (born April 14, 1968) is a Pennsylvania businessman who ran as a Republican in the 2010 special election to represent Western Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Burns won the party nomination but lost the November general election to Democratic incumbent Mark Critz.[1][2] On October 12, 2011, Burns announced that he would seek the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. in the 2012 election.[3][4]
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Burns was born in Morgantown, West Virginia; his family later moved to Johnstown, Pennsylvania where he grew up in the Hornerstown section of the city.[5] He graduated from Greater Johnstown High School in 1986. In 1990, Burns obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pennsylvania.[6]
In 1992, Burns co-founded TechRx, a pharmaceutical technology company that was started in the basement of his house. The company created prescription-automation software for pharmacies that improved the process of filling prescriptions with greater accuracy. The company eventually grew to over 400 employees before it was sold in 2003 to the Atlanta company NDCHealth Corporation.[6][7][8]
In April 2009, Burns announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination to oppose then-incumbent Congressman John Murtha in November, 2010. Following Murtha's February 2010 death, a special election was scheduled for May 18, 2010.[9] Republicans from the 12th district met on March 11, 2010, in Latrobe, to choose their nominee.[10] Tim Burns was nominated, receiving 85 of 131 votes cast. In a speech prior to the nomination vote, Burns referred to his support for the Tea Party movement, articulated his positions on the current plans for health care reform, United States energy independence and the national deficit, and described his nomination as "an opportunity to put a common sense conservative in a seat that has long been held by a political insider".[11][10] He identifies as pro-life, staunchly opposes federal funding for elective abortion, and opposed the federal health care legislation.
Burns received endorsements from Sarah Palin, Dick Armey, and FreedomWorks, a Washington, D.C. conservative PAC run by Armey.[12] On FoxNews's Hannity, Tucker Carlson said a Burns win in the district would be "a major upset for the Republicans".[13] However, Democratic nominee Mark Critz won, 52.6% to 45.1%.[14]
Burns ran and lost again, although by a slimmer margin, to incumbent Mark Critz in the general election on November 2, 2010, with Rep. Critz garnering 51% of the vote over Burns' 49%.
On October 12, 2011, Burns announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Bob Casey Jr. in the 2012 Pennsylvania United States Senate election.[3][4]
Burns and his family reside in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania. He has two sons, Brock and Trent, and attends St. Benedict Catholic Church.[6]