Peterson endorses Gerlach

Former Congressman John Peterson endorsed Jim Gerlach for governor Thursday, continuing a string of support that Gerlach has lined up from his current and former House colleagues.

Peterson represented the state’s mostly rural 5th Congressional District for 12 years before deciding not to seek reelection last year. In a statement, he called Gerlach “the only Republican with the kind of record to not only hit the ground running on day one, but have a positive, lasting impact on rural Pennsylvania.”

“Jim Gerlach shares our rural values, and is the only Republican candidate for Governor who has the experience to create jobs and cap state spending,” Peterson said. “Jim is independent of the failed Harrisburg establishment that continues to give us more spending and waste year after year. We need bold new leadership in our next Governor and Jim Gerlach is the future.”

Gerlach faces state Attorney General Tom Corbett in next year’s GOP primary.