Source: Former Rep. Mark Critz wants to run again

Former Rep. Mark Critz (D-Pa.) is seriously considering another run for Congress in 2014, a source close to the former lawmaker told The Hill on Tuesday.

"I have no doubt that Mark wants to do it," the source said. "But he's got to make the evaluation about whether or not he does do it. He actually came to love the job [in Congress]."

One sign he may run: On Tuesday, Critz announced he'd landed a job with an advocacy and public affairs firm that would allow him to stay in his hometown of Johnstown, Pa.

He had told The Hill in December that where he found a job would play a big role in whether or not he'd look at another run for Congress.

"Depending on what job I get may determine whether I look at this again — if I get a job down here [in Washington, D.C.], or if I get one back in the district. That's a big factor," Critz said then.

Critz, who narrowly lost his reelection bid in 2012, would likely be Democrats' best chance at winning back the GOP-leaning district. He lost to Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-Pa.) by four percentage points, even as Mitt Romney was carrying the district by 17 points, and is well-known in the area, having spent years as a top staffer for former Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.).

The source close to Critz said his ability to take a job in-district makes him more likely to run, but cautioned that he hasn't made any decisions yet.

The coal-heavy, culturally conservative region has trended away from Democrats in recent years due to dislike of Obama and his policies, but other Democrats like Bill and Hillary Clinton remain immensely popular in the area. If Hillary Clinton runs for president in 2016 that could help Democrats' prospects, and could give Critz reason to wait another election cycle before running again.

"He's still going to take some time and evaluate it," the source said."Obviously, it's a tough district for the president. There's a lot of political calculus that needs to be done."

---