Gerlach Drops Out

I was expecting Congressman Jim Gerlach to drop his bid for Pennsylvania governor before the May primary, I just wasn't sure when he would bail out.

Today's announcement that he's dropping out of the race doesn't surprise me at all. I've talked about his odd decision to give up Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional seat for an uphill shot at Pennsylvania governor on various radio shows and at this blog throughout 2009.

Gerlach, who has a long history of public service, including experience in the Pennsylvania Legislature, would have made a good governor.

The problem comes down to money.

The GOP establishment is lining up behind Attorney General Tom Corbett and most of their money is also going to Corbett.

Gerlach acknowledge the money issue in his statement today:

"While we have successfully raised over $1 million, traveled thousands of miles all across this Commonwealth and signed up more than 19,000 supporters eager to help us win, today's media-driven campaigns require four times that amount to wage a successful primary. That left me with two choices: either spend all of my time raising money with little time left for meeting with voters; or withdrawing my candidacy and working even harder to serve the public. I am choosing to serve the public -- many of whom have graciously rewarded me with their support for nearly two decades."

The big question now is whether Gerlach will change his mind about Congress. If he gets back into the race, he's a shoo-in for re-election.

Read Gerlach's full statement here.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Summer Reading

Just because your Congressman hasn't bothered to read the 1,000-plus pages of the Obamacare bill doesn't mean you can't.

U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach is making it possible for his constituents to spend what's left of their summer reviewing the Democrats' health care bill by dropping off copies of the bill at his district offices and selected libraries.

From a Gerlach press release:

Looking for something to read in addition to a dog-eared paperback novel in the waning days of summer?

Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) has provided copies of the House Democrats' Health Care legislation to his district offices in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties as well as seven public libraries throughout the district.

"This 1,017-page tome may not be as exciting as the titles topping the New York Times Best Sellers List, but the public deserves a chance to read the legislation before Congress votes this fall," Gerlach said. "That's why I believe it's important to make copies of the bill available throughout communities in the 6th District.

"I hate to spoil the ending for readers. However, the plan House Democrat leadership proposes would allow the federal government, rather than doctors and patients, to make more decisions about treatments ranging from knee-replacement surgery to chemotherapy for cancer patients. The plan also will impose higher taxes and burdensome mandates on small business owners, family farmers and other job creators as they attempt to shrug off the effects of the worst recession in more than two decades. That's why I oppose this attempt to usher in an era of government-controlled health care that the Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan researchers for Congress, concluded would fail to stem the rising cost of health care and balloon our national debt to staggering levels.”

Below is a list of locations where you can read a copy of the health care bill:

Narberth Community Library
80 Windsor Avenue
Narberth, PA 19072
610-664-2878

Montogomery County – Norristown Public Library
1001 Powell Street
Norristown, PA 19401
610-278-5100

Pottstown Public Library
500 High Street
Pottstown, PA 19464
610-970-6551

Mifflin Community Library
6 Philadelphia Avenue
Shillington, PA 19607
610-777-3911

Louisa Gonser Community Library
70 Bieber Alley
Kutztown, PA 19530
610-683-5820

Honey Brook Community Library
687 Compass Road
PO Box 1082
Honey Brook, PA 19344
610-273-3303

Treddyfrin Public Library
582 Upper Gulph Road
Strafford-Wayne, PA 19087
610-688-7092

Congressman Gerlach's Chester County Office
111 East Uwchlan Avenue (Route 113)
Exton PA 19341
610-594-1415

Congressman Gerlach's Montgomery County Office
580 Main Street, Suite 4
Trappe PA 19426
610-409-2780

Congressman Gerlach's Berks County Office
840 North Park Road
Wyomissing PA 19610
610-376-7630

A copy of the bill can also be found online at http://thomas.loc.gov/

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Gerlach Blasts Liberal Attack Ad

Pennsylvania Congressman Jim Gerlach, a moderate Republican targeted by a far-left advocacy group for not supporting the Obama stimulus plan, fires back in this press release issued by his office today:

Despite President Obama's call for changing the tone in Washington, liberal interest groups have reverted to their old, partisan tactics in a radio advertising campaign targeting Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) for standing with taxpayers and voting against the largest spending bill in U.S. history.

"President Obama stood on the steps of the Capitol on Jan 20 and pledged to usher in an era of unprecedented bipartisanship in which all ideas about turning around the economy and putting Americans back to work would be considered," Gerlach said. "It was hailed as a refreshing call to change politics-as-usual in Washington. However, as soon as I and other members took a stand and expressed serious philosophical differences with a bill crafted solely by House Democrat leadership, the Democrats unleashed their allies to pressure lawmakers by spending $200,000 on political ads running on radio stations in several congressional districts, including mine. That is not the politics of change; it’s more politics as usual. And at a time when we need to be working together to stem job losses and stabilize our financial system, it's inexcusable."

"While the details of the conference committee report cobbled together behind closed doors have not been released, I remain opposed to any bill with massive new spending on items that do nothing to immediately put people back to work and simply increase the size of government and continue piling up debt that our children and grandchildren will be forced to pay off."

My constituents understand that spending $2 billion for our national parks or $45 million for fish passage barriers and ATV trails are unlikely to make sure workers receive paychecks instead of pink slips, Gerlach said.

He added the same goes for spending $600 million for new cars for federal employees and $44 million for repairing the building housing the Agriculture Department.

Jim Gerlach first out of the gate for 2010 governor's race

U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, who represents Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District, announced today has formed an exploratory committee to run for governor of Pennsylvania in 2010.

In addition to filing the necessary paperwork establishing a committee to help him raise money, Gerlach also launched a new Web site, www.GERLACHFORPA.com

"We are taking this process one step at a time," Gerlach said in a statement. "At this early stage we are very excited about the support we've received, and that's why I've decided to move forward with the exploratory committee. Although this isn't a declaration of my candidacy, it will allow us to ratchet up our travel around the state to speak with political, business and community leaders, help our 2009 statewide judicial candidates, conduct polling and determine if there is a clear path to victory. I suspect that by late spring we'll know whether to formally move forward with a campaign for governor."

Gerlach said his decision to take the next step toward the governor's mansion came after discussions with longtime friends, supporters, family members and political leaders across the state.

"I believe Republicans in Pennsylvania are looking for a winner and a leader who has the experience and ideas to solve the problems faced by the taxpayers, families and seniors of Pennsylvania," Gerlach said. "The exploratory committee and I are dedicated to the governing principles of smaller and smarter government, creating good paying jobs, ensuring retirement security, cutting government waste and no new taxes."

Gerlach spokesman Mark Campbell said his boss has shown he can attract voters in a highly-contested part of the state.

"Congressman Jim Gerlach is a proven winner, surviving two Democrat wave elections in one of the most difficult congressional districts in the country and winning this past fall with his largest margin of victory ever," Campbell said. "Gerlach also earned more votes in his district than any other Republican candidate on the ballot. All this despite an overall net gain of 50,000 Democrat registrations and President Obama carrying the top of the ticket with 59% of the vote."

Gerlach has been one of the few bright spots for Republicans in Pennsylvania, holding the 6th District seat despite major efforts to unseat him by the Democratic Party.

In 2006, after national pundits counted him out and Democrats spent $7.3 million to defeat him, Gerlach won by 3,000 votes in the same year Democrat Gov. Ed Rendell carried Gerlach's district with 66% of the vote, Campbell notes.

Does Gerlach have a chance? Gerlach is well known to voters in the nine counties in the Philadelphia and Allentown TV media markets, which accounted for nearly 40% of all votes cast in the last gubernatorial election, Campbell says.

And remember that little-known congressman from Erie by the name of Tom Ridge? He ended up winning two terms as Pennsylvania governor.

Gerlach will continue to operate his congressional fundraising committee until a final decision is made on his 2010 statewide bid, according to his staff.

Gerlach has said he will run for only one office in 2010, so it's likely he will give up his Congressional seat.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS