A close primary race has divided Republicans in the late Rep. John Murtha's district and has helped Democrat Mark Critz take the lead in the special election to replace him, according to a Susquehanna Polling & Research survey.

Critz leads GOP nominee Tim Burns 44 percent to 38 percent with one week to go. Voters on Tuesday will pick between the two to fill Murtha's unexpired term and will choose their parties' nominees for the general election in November.

A majority of Democrats back Critz in the primary over challengers Ryan Bucchianeri and Ron Mackell Jr.

Burns is locked in a statistical dead heat with Army veteran Bill Russell for the Republican nomination, according to the poll.

"He's fighting a two-front war. The Russell challenge is very significant," said Jim Lee, president of Susquehanna Polling & Research. The poll of 400 likely voters took place Monday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.

The race has drawn national attention, with money, advertisements and high-profile support flooding in from Washington on behalf of Critz and Burns. Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican who captured the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's seat, will stump for Burns on Friday. President Clinton will campaign for Critz on Sunday.

The sprawling district extends from east of Johnstown to the corner of the state in Greene County. Though Democrats hold a registration advantage of more than 2 to 1, the rural district is the only one in the country that voted for Democrat John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election and Republican Sen. John McCain in 2008.

Continues @ Pittsburglive.com

A very interesting race on 5/25 (next Tuesday) along with U.S. senate primary in PA and other in-state elections.