Republicans tonight selected a political newcomer who has never sought elected office as their nominee in the special election to succeed the late U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha.

Tim Burns, a self-made millionaire from Eighty Four, Washington County, and a native of Mr. Murtha's hometown of Johnstown, handily defeated Bill Russell, who mounted a strong challenge to Mr. Murtha in 2008.

Three other hopefuls spoke before the group but none received a nominating motion, leaving them out of the vote altogether. Mr. Burns' nearest rival for the nomination, Mr. Russell, a retired Army officer who moved to the district two years ago to challenge Mr. Murtha, came in second. He indicated that he still plans to seek the nomination for a full term in the party primary.

Both the special election to fill the remaining eight months of Mr. Murtha's term and the primary to nominate a candidate for the November general election are being held on May 18.

Mr. Burns won by a two-to-one margin as 132 delegates cast votes tonight at the Fred M. Rogers Center at St. Vincent College.

Washington correspondent Daniel Malloy writes the "Pittsburgh On The Potomac" blog exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.