Gerlach not on NRCC’s new protect-list

Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6), who is seen as increasingly likely to vacate his seat and run for statewide office, is not included in a new National Republican Congressional Committee program to protect vulnerable House incumbents, Politico reports.

Ten incumbents so far are part of the NRCC’s Patriot Program, through which the Washington campaign committee will help fund Republicans trying to hold increasingly Democratic districts. Gerlach, whose 6th District seat has been hard to defend ever since he first won it in 2002. His absence from the list could reflect the likelihood that he will jump into either the race for Senate or Governor.

Democrat Doug Pike has already declared his candidacy in the race and other Democrats have been eyeing the race. State Representative Curt Schroder (R-Chester) has said he will likely run for the GOP nomination if Gerlach runs statewide. But if Gerlach doesn’t seek reelection, analysts widely agree that Democrats will capture the seat.