U.S. Rep. John Murtha addresses supporters at his headquarters in Johnstown Tuesday. The 17-term congressman won re-election with 58 percent of the vote, unofficial returns showed.

PHILADELPHIA _ Longtime Democratic Rep. John Murtha was able to hold off a tough Republican challenger.

Murtha scrambled to jump-start his campaign after saying his constituents were racist, fending off a surprisingly stiff challenge from Republican William Russell, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who moved to the district to take him on. The 17-term congressman won re-election with 58 percent of the vote, unofficial returns showed.

In his hometown of Johnstown, supporters chanted "Welcome back Jack." Murtha said his emphasis on creating jobs is what mattered most to voters.

"You keep sending me back regardless of what I say," Murtha said.

Murtha hadn't anticipated a tough race against Russell, but he ran into trouble after he described Western Pennsylvania as racist, apologized for the remark, then told another interviewer the area had been "really redneck" in years past.

In the last days of the campaign, Murtha admitted being "blindsided" and said he waited too long to ramp up his campaign. President Bill Clinton was even brought in to help him on Monday.

Murtha, 76, is a decorated Vietnam veteran who chairs the House defense appropriations subcommittee. His national profile was raised when he became one of the Democratic Party's most outspoken critics of the Iraq war.

He is also well-known and often criticized for the many millions of dollars of federal money he has brought home for pet projects.

Russell, in a statement, said he planned to take a break before holding town hall meetings to ask residents what they want out of Washington.