In a statement Monday, Smeltzer announced the formation of a committee to explore his bid. He is the director of the Manufacturers’ Association of South Central Pennsylvania.

“Our community needs an independent, effective voice in Washington – someone who will provide leadership in addressing these challenging times,” Smeltzer says in the announcement. “We need a new direction that focuses on job creation, limiting government spending and restricting the federal government’s involvement and power in our lives.”

Read the full press release after the jump.

Correction: This article originally implied incorrectly that Smeltzer is the first primary challenger to an incumbent House member.

Mike Smeltzer Launches Congressional Exploratory Committee

York, PA – Mike Smeltzer today announced the formation of a committee to explore his seeking the 2010 Republican nomination to represent Pennsylvania’s 19th Congressional District.

Smeltzer, a successful York businessman, is the Director of the Manufacturers’ Association of South Central Pennsylvania and a small business investor. He champions two issues: (1) reining in out-of-control government spending and (2) returning good family-supporting jobs to the district. During this exploration Mike will seek to engage fellow residents of the 19th District to learn what they believe is best for south central Pennsylvania’s future.

“Our community needs an independent, effective voice in Washington – someone who will provide leadership in addressing these challenging times. We need a new direction that focuses on job creation, limiting government spending and restricting the federal government’s involvement and power in our lives.” Smeltzer said.

Smeltzer, a life-long resident of York County, can claim more than 30 years building companies that provided high quality jobs and sound investments in the community. His district-wide work with the Manufacturers’ Association has shown Mike to be a practical and pragmatic community leader who easily works with elected and appointed government officials, business and community leaders and educational leaders. He has helped to improve government, create a business climate that encourages business, and work with schools to improve student success. In sum, this work will contribute to a faster recovery for south-central Pennsylvania.

In addition to his involvement in business and community activities, Mike serves with national, state, and local organizations that focus on issues leading to business, student, and community development projects.

Smeltzer attended Red Lion Area School District and Penn State University majoring in Computer Science and Liberal Arts. He lives in York with his wife Ann and their two children, Paul (19) and Emily (16).

Gerlach only recently entered  GOP primary, in which Corbett has been seeking to lock up party support early and some party leaders have even been trying to clear the field for him. But Platts’ endorsement could be an early sign that Gerlach will find political backing from his House colleagues.

“Having worked beside Jim in the state Legislature and in Congress, I know that he is the only candidate with the broad experience that has prepared him to lead this great Commonwealth the minute he becomes governor,” Platts said. “Jim’s tireless work-ethic and incredible knowledge of the issues facing our nation and our Commonwealth make him the best candidate to provide a bold, new direction for Pennsylvania in 2010. And his enthusiasm for finding creative strategies for putting Pennsylvanians back to work and making government live within its means make me proud to support his bid for governor.”

Former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan is also seeking the GOP nomination.

Bob Reilly made Platts’ intentions clear after The York Daily Record ran an editorial pushing him as a potential GOP Senate candidate.

“Congressman Platts is honored that The York Daily Record and numerous citizens have asked him to consider running for the United States Senate,” Reilly said, “but he is concentrating on his job representing the people of the 19th Congressional District and has no intention of running for the United States Senate in 2010.”

“Think about it,” the newspaper writes in an editorial today. “He kind of fits into that Goldilocks zone himself. During his days in the state Legislature, he was a maverick in his own party—much like Sen. Specter. He was not afraid to annoy party leaders with his willingness to vote his conscience, not the party line. In those days, some say, he was a moderate —if you consider the entirety of the political-issue spectrum.

“Rep. Platts has said he has higher political aspirations,” the paper says. “He has said he’d like some day to be president. The most likely launching pads for that goal are the Senate or the governor’s mansion. So why not run for Senate? He seems less extreme than the polarizing Toomey, but he still has strong conservative credentials. And if the vote were based on issues alone, Rep. Platts might be a good match for Sen. Specter.”