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Gerlach’s local party chair supports—but doesn’t endorse—Corbett
As he seeks the Republican nomination for governor, Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) faces the fact that even GOP leaders in his own home county think his opponent is the better candidate for the race.
In a form letter obtained by pa2010.com, Chester County Republican leader Jospeh “Skip” Brion, who is also treasurer of the state party, voiced strong support for Carol Aichele as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. But toward the end of the letter, dated Nov. 12, Brion also said that a ticket with Aichele and Attorney General Tom Corbett is the best bet for Republicans to win back the Governor’s Mansion next year.
Calling Corbett “an outstanding candidate with extraordinary credentials,” Brion writes that “in my opinion, a Corbett-Aichele team will balance the 2010 Republican ticket and lead us to victory next fall.”
Reports on the blogosphere had recently indicated that the Chester County party had formally endorsed Corbett, but reached by phone, Brion said no formal endorsement had been made. Rather he said, Republican leaders from all five Philadelphia-area counties are “supporting” Corbett. Only the state committee will make a formal endorsement, he said, which will come in February.
“I think people are using the word ‘endorsement’ incorrectly,” Brion said Tuesday. But asked if he saw Corbett as the better candidate, Brion said simply, “yes.”
“I think that Tom Corbett showed a lot of strength last year,” Brion said, referring to Corbett’s reelection win, which was the only statewide Republican victory last November. “When you look at what happened Nov. 3 in Virginia and New Jersey, law-and-order prosecutors go over well with voters.
“Jim Gerlach is a great congressman,” Brion added. “This is no crutch on Jim. I just think that Tom Corbett is the better candidate for this race.”
While it has become increasingly clear that state Republican leaders want Corbett to be the nominee, Gerlach’s campaign has worked hard to counter any impression of Corbett’s inevitability, consistently pointing out his inability to break certain thresholds in public polls.
In a statement, Gerlach’s campaign manager Scott Migli said: “Jim Gerlach’s string of impressive victories against Democrats who have spent millions of dollars against him combined with Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney’s candid remarks that his party would be more afraid of facing Jim in the general election are much better indicators of who gives the Republicans the best chance of winning the governor’s race.”
Click here to download Brion’s letter.
November 17, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Tags: Chester County, Jim Gerlach, Tom Corbett
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HAHAHAAH
Nov 17th, 2009
The fact that he thinks the tax-raising Carol Aichele is the best LG candidate discredits anything else this joker could possibly say.
Chester County GOP Chair Brion backs Corbett over Gerlach | Politics PA
Nov 17th, 2009
[...] To read the rest of the pa2010 story, click here. [...]
Ben Dover
Nov 17th, 2009
Calling Carol Aichele a “tax-raiser” is on par with the Democratic comment at a recent controller debate that “my Republican opponent thinks a AAA bond rating is a big deal”. Carol(and other Republicans) helped make it happen and save millions. Please keep your hands in your own pockets.
HAHAHAAH
Nov 17th, 2009
No one cares about a row office debate or wall street bond ratings.
Did Carol Aichele raise taxes? yes or no?
How many times did she raise property taxes? 3, 4?
She’s a loser, just like Skip Brion who couldn’t get her elected in a Republican-leaning special Senate election district. Thanks to their efforts, Chester County has its first Dem state senator in 100 years or something crazy like that.
ConcernedConservative
Nov 17th, 2009
Skip is just eyeing his chances at PA GOP chair and thinks Corbett is the better bet. Skip’s only concerned with lining the pockets of his law firm through his influence as county chair. We need a real conservative in this race for LG, I’m tired of watching Brions tax-spend machine claim the high road. We need tax cuts not tax hikes, we need real, conservative leadership in Harrisburg
Walsingham
Nov 17th, 2009
Despite the above rants, Corbett and Aichele will be the endorsed ticket. This is surely disappointing to supporters of other candidates who are forcefully expressing themselves on this blog, but this team balances the ticket better than anyone. It will be difficult for the Dems to beat Corbett-Aichele as Pennsylvania voters head to the polls next fall to send a powerful economic message to the DC Democrats and Rendell.
2010 PA will be the next 2009 NJ with a Republican prosecutor for Governor and a woman county official for Lieutenant Governor leading Republicans to victory in a Democrat state.
Main Line Mary
Nov 17th, 2009
Aichele was the top vote-getter in eight countywide elections in Chester County – one of the state’s largest and fastest-growing counties. She has governed well. The voters think highly of her as is apparent by her big victories in a very big county. She will help Corbett win suburban Soccer Moms so the GOP can take back the Governor’s Mansion. No doubt about it.
Common Sense
Nov 17th, 2009
It’s funny to watch people attack Skip Brion because he’s supporting a Corbett-Aichele ticket. The Corbett/Aichele/Brion haters are out in full force. Here’s the shocking truth to Skip Brion’s reasoning: THEY CAN WIN!
Simple enough?
Lewis Beaumont
Nov 17th, 2009
Hey Gerlach, looks like your not going to be Governor either. I think Post Master may be up for grabs.
In The Know
Nov 17th, 2009
Aichele has the inside track for the GOP endorsement and nomination. The GOP leaders want a Southeast woman to balance the ticket next year. I’d be surprised if she wasn’t the Lieutenant Governor pick.