Bob Roggio, who lost to incumbent Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) by four points last November, had been considering another run in recent weeks before deciding against it. He had implied in conversations with pa2010.com that he was likely to back party front-runner Doug Pike if he didn’t run himself, but apparently was sold on Trivedi’s background.

“Through my conversations with Manan, I became fully aware that he understands this district, its needs, and how to get things done,” Roggio said in a statement released by the Trivedi campaign. “He grew up in this district and has seen what our families have gone through. He has demonstrated to me by his hard work in becoming a physician and through his service in the Iraq War that the people of the 6th district will have a tireless champion. He has dealt with the biggest issues of our time and now we need him in Congress. That is exactly why I am endorsing Manan Trivedi today.”

Roggio is hardly an establishment figure, but has enough political allies in the district that his support could force Pike into a more serious primary than the former Inquirer editorial writer had expected.

Even before Roggio’s endorsement was made public, the Pike campaign released two statements chock full of still more endorsements, including support from state Representative Thomas Caltigirone and several labor unions. Multiple members of Congress and party leaders have already backed Pike.

State Representative Curt Schroder (R-Chester) and Chester County Recorder of Deeds Ryan Costello are seeking the GOP nomination to replace Gerlach, who is running for governor.

Roggio, a Democrat who narrowly lost to Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) last year, said earlier this week that he hadn’t “ruled out” another go-round. But he told pa2010.com Friday that he had decided not to launch another campaign.

“It is primarily a personal decision,” Roggio said in a brief interview. “You really have to have a strong committment to do this, and the sacrifices you make for you and your family are hard to understand. I just wans’t ready to do that for the next 14 months.”

Roggio reiterated that he’s confident Democrats can capture the seat without his candidacy, and that he would do whatever it takes to help make that happen. His decision makes it increasingly likely that Doug Pike will have the primary field to himself.

With Gerlach running for governor, Republicans Curt Schroder and Ryan Costello are vying for the GOP nomination to succeed him.

“I haven’t ruled it out,” Roggio, the businessman and former Bob Casey staffer, told pa2010.com Tuesday.

Democrat Doug Pike has been building an early advantage in fundraising and endorsements, while Gerlach is running for governor. But Roggio said that regardless of whether he decides to run, it’s unlikely that Pike will march to the nomination unopposed.

“I do believe there will be a challenge to Doug Pike,” he said.

Roggio fared better than many had expected on Election Day last year, running up good numbers in Montgomery County and even starting the day with a lead as early election returns came in. But his support was sparse in the critical parts of the district in Berks and Chester counties, and he lost by about 4 points.

With Gerlach out, analysts widely agree that Democrats are more likely than ever to capture the seat. But with Pike moving fast, Roggio said any challenger will have to make a decision soon. State Senator Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) is increasingly rumored to be seriously considering the race, but could not be immeidately reached this week.

“It’s getting to a point that it would have to happen within a week or so, because Doug Pike… has made a very good start,” he said.

Regardless of what happens, Roggio emphasized, what’s most important is that the party wins next November.

“This is an opportiunity for the Democrats this year,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy no matter what. But we have an opportuniy here and I’m hoping that, whichever way it goes, we make the most of it.”

State Representative Curt Schroder (R-Chester) and Chester County Recorder of Deeds Ryan Costello are both seeking the GOP nomination.

Doug Pike, a former editorial board member at The Philadelphia Inquirer, is the only Democrat to officially declare his candidacy for the seat, which includes areas of Chester, Montgomery and Berks counties. But at least three others are considering the race, including two who have challenged Gerlach before. The district has consistently been one of the most competitive in the state. And while Democrats think they can win even if Gerlach stays put, most analysts consider the seat a lock to switch parties if he pursues the governorship instead.

“He’s had a tenuous hold on it,” said G. Terry Madonna, a pollster and political science professor at Franklin & Marshall College. “Somehow, he’s found a way to win. I think it gives the Democrats a huge opening should he actually run [for governor].”

Democrats said to be considering the race include Dan Wofford, the son of former Senator Harris Wofford who ran against Gerlach in 2002; Bob Roggio, the Montgomery County businessman who narrowly lost to Gerlach last year; and state Senator Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester), the first Democrat to be elected in his district since the 19th Century. All three remain cautious about entering the race—and curious to see what Gerlach does.

“I think the seat remains very winnable, whether or not Jim Gerlach vacates it to run for governor,” said Wofford, who lost by less than 3 points in 2002. “I think he’s vulnerable, and the demographics of the district are more favorable than they were when I first ran.”

The district has become far more Democratic in recent years. Whereas Republicans outnumbered Democrats by about 30,000 votes in 2005, by earlier this year, Democrats held an edge of more than 20,000 votes. These margins have kept Gerlach from ever winning by more than about 4 points; he won by less than 1 1/2 points to against Lois Murphy in 2006. But even as it has grown more Democratic in recent years, Gerlach has managed to defend the district thanks to his long service as a state lawmaker in the area and to the reputation he has built, deserved or not, as a moderate Republican. In a recent interview with pa2010.com, Gerlach said he would win again if he sought reelection.

“They’ve spent over $15 million to beat me,” he said of local and national Democrats. “They haven’t done it, and they’re not going to do it.

“My voting record reflects what people in this district want from their representative in Washington,” he added.

In announcing his candidacy, Pike said Gerlach’s moderate image is a facade.

“Particularly at this time of economic crisis, I feel that he is a typical partisan Republican. a just-say-no Republican, not someone offering practical solutions to get us out of this economic crisis,” Pike said.

Wofford, who has been encouraged by friends and political supporters to run, would not comment specifically on whether he was actively considering it, but his name continues to be mentioned by party insiders. Dinniman, whose 19th Senatorial District includes West Chester, said he was focused for now on education reform in Harrisburg and would begin to think more seriously about the race later this year. Roggio said he was more likely to run if Gerlach didn’t, but was considering either possibility.

“I think the Democrats would have an excellent chance in 2010,” Roggio said.

Chris Casey, the brother of Senator Bob Casey, is also rumored to be considering the race, but could not be reached for comment. State Representative Curt Schroeder (R-Chester) has expressed interest in seeking the GOP nomination if Gerlach runs for governor.