Former state Treasurer Barbara Hafer has dropped out of the race in Pennsylvania’s 12th district, clearing the way for Mark Critz, a former aide to the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), to be the Democratic nominee in November.

State Democratic leaders picked Critz as their nominee for the May 18 special election to fill Murtha’s seat.

But until now, Hafer was sticking with her plan to run for the nomination for the full term that begins in 2011. The primary to decide the party’s nominee for the November ballot is on the same day as the special election.

Little-known Navy veteran Ryan Bucchianeri is now Critz’s only Democratic Party opponent.

Republicans will pick their special election nominee, either Bill Russell or businessman Tim Burns, on March 11.