“The 6th district is one of our top pick up opportunities regardless of whether or not Jim Gerlach decides to run for re-election.  Democrats have a strong slate of candidates in the district who are committed to turning the page on the George Bush economic agenda that Republicans like Jim Gerlach have come to epitomize. The suspension of his gubernatorial campaign doesn’t change our focus moving forward.”

Shripal Shah, Northeast Regional Press Secretary DCCC

I had come to a decision that I was in the race, but now I’m fully in support of Jim Gerlach.

I was planning to run a successful campaign, but this is good news for the people of the 6th Congressional District. Jim Gerlach has been a very strong member of Congress and I will support him. The most important thing is that this seat remain a Republian seat and that we keep the pressure on the Democrats and their big-spending ways in Washington.

I’ll be returning funds to my early contributors and thanking them for their support.

Scott Zelov, Former 6th District GOP candidate, Lower Merion Township Commissioner

Nothing changes.  The fact remains that being born and raised in the 6^th district, my life experience and life’s work still place me as the most uniquely qualified candidate, Democrat or Republican, to become our next congressman.

“As a physician, I have dealt with the struggles Americans face in the quest for real health care reform.  As an Iraq War veteran, I have a real-world understanding for how to deal with our national security threats.  Whether they are a professional politician or a professional pundit, no other candidate in this race has been on the front lines of the most pressing issues that our nation faces today.

“In the majority and in the minority, Jim Gerlach has proven to be an ineffective Congressman.  He stood by the flawed Bush-Cheney policies on fighting terror, allowed Wall Street fat cats to run our economy into the ground and failed to fight for millions of Americans without health care.  We need leaders who will stand by their convictions and fight for policies that improve the lives of all Americans.  That is why I am running for Congress and why I am going to win the Democratic primary and win in November.  And because of that, nothing changes.”

Manan Trivedi, Democrat, 6th District candidate

I decided to run for the Sixth Congressional Seat now held by Congressman Jim Gerlach after he announced that he was running for the Republican nomination for Governor of our Commonwealth.  Since he ended that campaign, I have been waiting for him to decide whether he would run for re-election as my Congressman.  With his decision to seek re-election, and after talking with many of my supporters, friends and my family, I am delighted to support Jim’s re-election campaign, and I have told a member of his senior staff of my decision.

While my campaign has been gaining traction and financial support, as I indicated in my Announcement (available on howardcohenforcongress.com), I was running because I felt it was imperative that the Sixth District retain a Republican Congressman who believed in fiscal integrity, strong national security, and was committed to getting our citizens back to work.

Jim Gerlach has the very best chance of doing that and I am enlisting in his re-election campaign. I am ready to assist in his re-election effort and do whatever I can to return him to Washington as my Congressman.  I have supported him before and proudly do so again. I also am asking those who supported my candidacy to get behind Jim Gerlach, and several already have told me they will support him.

I have been in touch with several of the wonderful people who have supported my candidacy, and I will not forget them for all they have done.  I remain committed to public service and look forward to having opportunities to again serve my fellow citizens.

This campaign has been an amazing experience and I was on my way to fulfilling a lifelong dream.  However, it is not to be, and I am philosophical about it.  Life is a constant learning experience.  I have learned much about myself, my family, my friends and my Country in this undertaking.  But most of all I have had the extraordinary experience of getting to know so many of the wonderful folks in the 6th district.  I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.

Howard Cohen, Former 6th District GOP candidate

“Doug Pike is ready to hold Congressman Gerlach accountable for his record of incredible irresponsibility on the economy, on health care, and on wall street oversight.  For example, a month ago, Gerlach voted to let Wall Street continue the same irresponsible practices that cost taxpayers $700 billion dollars and crippled retirement accounts in 2008.  We are ready to hold him accountable for this abysmal record and have the financial resources and political support to do so.”

Andrew Eldredge-Martin, Pike Campaign Manager

Tags: Jim Gerlach

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