Gerlach says Meehan’s likely exit will bolster him

With former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan expected to exit the governor’s race and pursue a Congressional run soon, Congressman Jim Gerlach’s (R-6) campaign sought to paint the political tides as turning in his direction, saying the development was a “huge boost” to his primary bid against state Attorney General Tom Corbett.

“Meehan’s planned departure,” Gerlach’s campaign spokesman Mark Campbell said in a statement Friday evening, “greatly strengthens Jim Gerlach’s candidacy since he is now the only candidate for Governor who has strong support in the voter-rich eastern part of the state…”

Gerlach had seemed to join some GOP leaders recently in trying to push Meehan out of the race, when he released an internal poll that showed him trailing Corbett in next year’s primary, but not as deep in the hole as Meehan.

Many news organizations were reporting Friday that Meehan had exited the race and endorsed Corbett, though his campaign’s statement only implied that a formal announcement to that effect would come soon. Meanwhile, the Gerlach campaign sought to emphasize Friday that Gerlach remains the only candidate in the primary field with experience in governance.

“Meehan’s departure does not change the fact that Jim Gerlach is still the only candidate for Governor who has a record of cutting taxes, cutting spending, and helping to create jobs,” Campbell said. “And that’s what voters want in their next Governor.”

•Also on pa2010.com: Meehan now ‘seriously considering’ Congressional run