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ChesCo GOP chair rallying support for Gerlach

The leader of the Chester County GOP voiced strong support for Congressman Jim Gerlach’s (R-6) reelection bid on Thursday and sought to unify the party behind the incumbent two days before it makes a formal endorsement on Saturday.

“Jim Gerlach has served Chester County with distinction throughout his career,” chairman Skip Brion said in a statement. “As our congressman since 2002, Jim has proven his commitment to the families, taxpayers and seniors in the 6th District.

“For the future of our country, our state and our county, we need a Republican like Jim Gerlach to win this seat, and I am asking the Chester County Republican Committee members to endorse Jim Gerlach for Congress,” Brion added.

His statements came as wealthy entrepreneur Steven Welch is undertaking what could be a fierce and bitter primary challenge, and with at least some patches of the local party establishment still unhappy that Gerlach’s late decision to seek reelection instead of running for governor forced state Representative Curt Schroder (R-Chester) out of the race. Some of those rank-and-file members have been looking to Welch as an alternative candidate. And while it seems exceedingly unlikely that Welch could beat Gerlach out for the endorsement on Saturday, his campaign will almost surely play up any significant show of support against the incumbent.

February 18, 2010 at 5:00 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Jim Gerlach, PA-6, Steven Welch

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