WASHINGTON – Should he win his suddenly-competitive re-election race on Tuesday, longtime U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) will owe a big debt of thanks to the members of the progressive-minded political action committee MoveOn.org.

Since issuing a last-minute appeal to MoveOn.org’s fundraising list on Wednesday, the organization has infused Murtha’s campaign with over $187,000 in cash, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Murtha’s ramped-up fundraising efforts comes just days after receiving heated criticism for saying in a media interview that residents in his Southeastern Pennsylvania district are “racist” and “rednecks.”

Murtha’s re-election, once seemingly assured, is now in doubt. Last week, the National Republican Congressional Committee, sensing an opportunity, invested in nearly $500,000 worth of TV ads targeting the veteran Democratic lawmaker. The NRCC’s ads have highlighted Murtha’s recent remarks and his past controversial comments about soldiers serving in Iraq.

Murtha has taken in more than $600,000 in campaign checks after a week of appealing to supporters and his congressional colleagues for help

“When I ask for help, it is because I really need it,” Murtha wrote in his email message to MoveOn.org members. “It is urgent.”

Ken Spain, a spokesman for the NRCC, shrugged off Murtha’s last-minute surge in financial support.

"It certainly doesn't come as a surprise that the same fringe organization that questioned the patriotism of General David Petraeus is now working furiously at the 11th hour to defend a congressman that falsely called our troops cold blooded killers," said Spain.

Murtha is facing off on Tuesday against Republican William Russell, an Iraq war veteran.