Gerlach testing a run for governor

[ChamberedRound]

Can't we do ANY better than this?

http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=124367

Congressman Jim Gerlach, who represents part of Berks, is testing a run for governor

From our news staff

U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach announced Thursday that he has established an exploratory committee to look into a run for governor next year.

The committee will allow Gerlach, a Chester County Republican whose district includes part of Reading and Berks County, to raise funds while testing the political waters for a gubernatorial run.

"Although this isn't a declaration of my candidacy," Gerlach said in a news release, "it will allow us to ratchet up our travel around the state to speak with political, business and community leaders."

Gerlach will conduct polling to determine his chances of succeeding outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat.

"I suspect that by late spring we'll know whether to formally move forward with a campaign for governor," Gerlach said.

Gerlach said friends, supporters and political leaders across the state have encouraged him to seek the GOP nomination in next year's primary.

Mark Campbell, a political aide, noted that Gerlach survived two Democratic challenges in one of the most difficult congressional districts in the country. His re-election last fall, Campbell said, was Gerlach's largest margin of victory ever.

"All this despite an overall net gain of 50,000 Democratic registrations and President Obama carrying the top of the ticket with 59 percent of the vote," Campbell said.

Gerlach spent two terms in the state House and two terms in the state Senate before being elected to Congress in 2002.

[billamj]

Personally I'm hoping that a certain AG will take a run at it.

[The Drew]

I predict that our Junior senator will make a run on the D side... And if he gets the nomination... He's as good as elected...

[ChamberedRound]

Personally I'm hoping that a certain AG will take a run at it.

If he does, I'd vote for him, but then who would that leave us in the AG spot?

I predict that our Junior senator will make a run on the D side... And if he gets the nomination... He's as good as elected...

"Black Hole" Casey? Ugh.

[The Drew]

Didn't say I liked it... I just see it as a likely scenario...

[adymond]

"Black Hole" Casey? Ugh.

I have called and e-mailed his office to no effect regarding Holder, Gietner, the prok package, etc. The bastard has not so much as e-mailed me back.

[thundrr1]

Is he pro 2A??????

He's considering a run for the Governorship......

George

[VariableFeedback]

Didn't say I liked it... I just see it as a likely scenario...

I think that Tom Corbett would have a much better chance of winning the governorship than Gerlach.

[ChamberedRound]

It's official. From the Reading Eagle:

http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=148148

Gerlach announces he will run for governor

Congressman who represents part of Berks expected to have 2 GOP primary rivals

The Associated Press

HARRISBURG - U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach said Tuesday that he will run for governor, as the four-term congressman from Chester County became the first of three expected Republican candidates to enter the 2010 race.

As part of the announcement, Gerlach, 54, who also represents part of Berks County, said he will not seek a fifth term in Congress.

The GOP primary next year could be a three-way race: Attorney General Tom Corbett and former Philadelphia federal prosecutor Patrick Meehan also are considering vying for the Republican nomination to succeed Ed Rendell as governor.

Gerlach is considered a moderate on social issues, but touts himself as a fiscal conservative, saying he is devoted to cutting taxes and shrinking the size of the government.

"Our next governor must employ those values and put them to work in Harrisburg, and make Pennsylvania a competitive place to do business so we can create jobs and put families back to work," Gerlach said in his statement.

Rendell, a Democrat in his second of two four-year terms, cannot run again for the office because of constitutional term limits.

Gerlach's announcement has been expected for months after he announced in December that he was considering running.

Neither Corbett nor Meehan has officially announced his candidacy.

Another announcement Tuesday followed from state Rep. Curt Schroder, who said he would seek the Republican nomination for Gerlach's seat in the 6th District, which is made up of portions of Berks, Chester, Lehigh and Montgomery counties.

Schroder, 47, Chester County, stated that he decided to enter the race to maintain the values that built the country, encourage policies promoting entrepreneurism, limit the size of government and preserve the economic future of the country.

(The Reading Eagle contributed to this story.)

[Agent Ronin]

Is he pro 2A??????

He's considering a run for the Governorship......

George

I'm assuming you are refering to Jim Gerlach... He does hold a A- rating from the GOA. So i guess he cant be all that bad...