Gerlach: Budget mess was ‘a long time coming’

Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) on Monday called for a halt to the growth of state spending, describing Pennsylvania’s protracted budget impasse “a fundamental fight” between those who want to raise taxes and those who want to rein in spending.

“This was a long time coming because of the growth and spending at the state level,” Gerlach said on Pittsburgh’s WMNY Radio.

During an interview in which he rehashed much of his fiscal and budgeting platform,…

October 5, 2009 at 4:49 pm | Comments (1)

Corbett leads Gerlach big in poll; name recognition key

State Attorney General continues to hold a wide lead over Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) in next year’s GOP primary, thanks in large part to the name recognition afforded by two statewide election wins, according to a new poll.

In a Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday morning, Corbett led Gerlach by almost 30 points, 42 percent to 13 percent, among registered Republicans.

But Gerlach has plenty of reason to think he can close the gap in…

September 30, 2009 at 8:55 am | Comments (6)

State Senator endorses Gerlach

After winning the support of current and former members of Congress, Jim Gerlach is moving down the ladder.

The Republican gubernatorial hopeful’s campaign on Tuesday announced the endorsement of state Senator Mike Waugh (R-York). Waugh, the fourth-highest ranking Senate Republican, worked with Gerlach when they both served in the state legislature. His backing continues to show that Gerlach will find much of his insider support from fellow lawmakers who have worked with him and not…

September 29, 2009 at 1:28 pm | Comments (0)

Thornburgh makes two former guvs endorsing Corbett

Former Gov. Dick Thornburgh endorsed Tom Corbett for governor Friday, giving the state Attorney General’s bid for the Governor’s Mansion the backing of two former residents in as many days.

A day after former Gov. Tom Ridge endorsed Corbett, a Republican, Thornburgh, who was a two-term governor in the 1980s, said Corbett “possesses the intellect, vision, ideas and energy that will be necessary to lead Pennsylvania, and turn around our ailing economy.”

“As a Pennsylvania…

September 27, 2009 at 7:30 pm | Comments (2)

Ridge endorses Corbett for governor

Former Gov. Tom Ridge on Thursday endorsed state Attorney General Tom Corbett’s gubernatorial bid, giving Corbett a boost from one of the state’s most visible Republicans.

“I share Tom Corbett’s vision for a 21st Century Pennsylvania,” Ridge said in a statement. “He understands that a competitive business environment is necessary to grow family-sustaining jobs. He believes in responsible and competent government. He is committed to removing the onerous regulations and red tape that burden our…

September 24, 2009 at 4:35 pm | Comments (2)

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,…

September 24, 2009 at 1:18 pm | Comments (1)

CATCHING UP: Onorato’s moment, Gerlach goes ACORN and Sestak’s net-neutral

Sorry for the slow Monday yesterday, political junkies. Happens to the best of us.

Here’s some stuff you may have missed. Dan Onorato gets a couple days this week to bask in the spotlight of G-20, and to soak up the praise of Pittsburgh’s economic revival. President Obama has had

September 22, 2009 at 8:15 am | Comments (1)

Corbett gets into the guv race

On Monday night, Tom Corbett finally did what everyone had long been expecting: He declared a run for governor.

The state Attorney General made his candidacy for the GOP nomination official during an event at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, making “a promise to every family in Pennsylvania that we will restore trust in Harrisburg,” according to his remarks as prepared for delivery.

“Standing before you tonight,” Corbett said, “the promise I make to…

September 14, 2009 at 8:28 pm | Comments (1)

Pre-empting Corbett’s announcement, Gerlach calls for debates & says the race is ‘wide open’

Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) wasn’t waiting for his GOP opponent Tom Corbett to officially get into the gubernatorial race before having one last word.

Hours before the state Attorney General was set to declare his candidacy Monday, Gerlach’s campaign invited Corbett to a series of debates and pointed out again that polls don’t show Corbett to be the commanding front-runner his supporters claim he is.

“Poll after poll has shown that this race is wide…

September 14, 2009 at 3:09 pm | Comments (2)

Report: Corbett to declare gubernatorial candidacy on Monday

State Attorney General Tom Corbett will reportedly make the announcement that everyone already assumed was a done deal next week, when he officially declares his candidacy for the GOP gubernatorial nomination Monday in Pittsburgh.

PoliticsPA

September 8, 2009 at 4:43 pm | Comments (6)