Congressman Platts Endorses Gerlach for Governor

By GERLACH FOR PA

(EXTON, PA) – Republican Jim Gerlach continued building support in central Pennsylvania on Wednesday when Congressman Todd Platts of York endorsed Gerlach’s bid to become the next governor of Pennsylvania.

“Having worked beside Jim in the state Legislature and in Congress, I know that he is the only candidate with the broad experience that has prepared him to lead this great Commonwealth the minute he becomes governor,” Platts said. “Jim’s tireless work-ethic and incredible knowledge of the issues facing our nation and our Commonwealth make him the best candidate to provide a bold, new direction for Pennsylvania in 2010. And his enthusiasm for finding creative strategies for putting Pennsylvanians back to work and making government live within its means make me proud to support his bid for governor.”

Platts and Gerlach served in the state Legislature together from 1993 to 2000 and have worked together in Congress since 2003. Platts is serving his fifth term representing the 19th Congressional District, which includes York, Adams and Cumberland counties.

Gerlach was honored to receive Platts’ endorsement.

“I am pleased to have earned the respect and support of a leader with outstanding integrity and an unwavering commitment to the people of central Pennsylvania,” Gerlach said. “Congressman Platts will be a great partner in helping me reach out to voters and let them know that I am ready to create jobs, cut government waste and let taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned paychecks to start businesses and support their families.”

Gerlach, who is currently serving his fourth term representing the 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, announced his candidacy for Governor of Pennsylvania on July 14th. Born and raised in the western Pennsylvania steel town of Ellwood City, he has represented the voters in Berks, Chester, Lehigh and Montgomery counties for the last 19 years in the state House, state Senate and now Congress.

As a state legislator, Gerlach helped pass historic welfare reforms that allowed tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians to experience the dignity of earning a paycheck while breaking their dependence on collecting a welfare check. He also has put the interests of taxpayers first in Congress, voting in favor of tax cuts that saved the average Pennsylvania family more than $2,000 per year while opposing the bloated, $1 trillion stimulus spending spree that has fallen well short on its promise of creating jobs and the job-crushing energy tax known as cap and trade.

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