Prospect of losing Gerlach’s seat gives Gleason ‘indigestion’

State GOP chairman Rob Gleason isn’t crazy about the prospect of Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) running for Governor or Senate.

Not that he thinks Gerlach wouldn’t be a good candidate. But without Gerlach, defending the 6th Congressional District seat could prove supremely difficult for the Republican Party.

“I get a little indigestion when Gerlach wants to move up, and I don’t want to stop him from moving up, but I want to hold that seat,” …

May 11, 2009 at 9:24 am | Comments (5)

Gerlach aide says phone is ‘ringing off-the-hook’

A political adviser to Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) says his boss’ phone has been “ringing off-the-hook” with people encouraging him to run for Senate.

Gerlach is exploring a run for Governor, and Mark Campbell, his chief political consultant, said that exploratory run is continuing. But with the dust still settling from Senator Arlen Specter’s defection to the Democrats, Gerlach seems to be emerging as the Republican most likely to take his place in the race. …

May 1, 2009 at 12:33 pm | Comments (4)

Considering Senate bid, Gerlach will continue ‘listening’

Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6), who is emerging as one of the lead GOP contenders to run for Senate in Arlen Specter’s place despite his expressed interest in the governorship, says people are encouraging him to enter the race—but that he’s still just listening.

In a statement from his office (hat tip to GrassrootsPA), Gerlach said: “I will continue to travel the Commonwealth considering future opportunities to serve, while listening and promoting a Republican rebirth in …

April 30, 2009 at 12:59 pm | Comments (6)

Report: DCCC showcasing Pike

A year before the Democratic primary, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee seems to be preparing some early support for Doug Pike in the 6th District, the only Democrat so far to declare, PoliticsPA …

April 27, 2009 at 10:31 pm | Comments (2)

Democrats once again eyeing PA-6

Regardless of whether Republican Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-Chester County) decides forgo reelection in favor of a run at the Governor’s Mansion, several Democrats seem well positioned to once again fight for the 6th District seat that the GOP and Gerlach struggled to win since its creation six years ago.

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 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].”

April 19, 2009 at 6:15 pm | Comments (0)