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Gerlach aide says phone is ‘ringing off-the-hook’

A political adviser to Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) says his boss’ phone has been “ringing off-the-hook” with people encouraging him to run for Senate.

Gerlach is exploring a run for Governor, and Mark Campbell, his chief political consultant, said that exploratory run is continuing. But with the dust still settling from Senator Arlen Specter’s defection to the Democrats, Gerlach seems to be emerging as the Republican most likely to take his place in the race. Party insiders see him as someone who can speak to conservative issues while still maintaining the perception, right or wrong, that he is a moderate.

A lot of folks thought Jim would make a great Governor,” Campbell said. “Just as many folks, if not more, think he would make a fabulous U.S. Senator.”

The political landscape has shifted dramatically over the last week. Until recently, even with two high-profile prosecutors in the race, the gubernatorial field had seemed relatively empty compared to the high-stakes Senate primary between Specter and former Congressman Pat Toomey.

Now the Senate primary is undoubtedly more open.

“Jim’s phone has been ringing off-the-hook since Specter’s switch to the Democratic Party,” Campbell said.

And numerous reports have demonstrated that he is quickly becoming a top choice for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, after he has proven himself a political survivor in an increasingly Democratic district.

May 1, 2009 at 12:33 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Jim Gerlach, PA-6

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