By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com
A local county chairman in the 6th Congressional District signaled Thursday he is open to supporting U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach if he decided, as rumored, to seek re-election in the 6th Congressional District, but cautioned that the now former gubernatorial candidate needs to talk to him and committee members before any decision is made.
The Republican Party already has “very good candidates” who have campaigned to replace Gerlach, said Skip Brion, chairman of the Chester County Republican Party. Chester County makes up a large chunk of the 6th District.
“But again, Jim has been a great congressman who has held that seat through very trying times,” Brion said.
Sources tell PoliticsPA Gerlach is expected to run for the 6th District seat now that his gubernatorial campaign is over, although publicly the congressman has not announced any decision.
Brion, at the time of the interview, had not spoken with Gerlach about his future plans and said he didn’t know what the congressman will do. The congressman will need to talk with him and other committee members before the party decides what to do, he said.
State Rep. Curt Schroder, former state Revenue Secretary Howard Cohen, geologist Walt Hufford and businessman Steve Welch and activist Patrick Henry Sellers are the declared candidates in the district, with Lower Merion Township Commissioner Scott Zelov also considering a campaign.
Schroder and Welch, in particular, have campaigned and raised money for months under the impression they would compete in an open primary.
Schroder already signaled he would stay in the race if Gerlach re-enters. Calls and e-mails to the Welch campaign were not returned.
I’ve never ever heard of this just before. I’ll definately must test individuals out.
thanks a lot.
I will amplify upon what I previously wrote.
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I like Jim; I contributed to his prior Congressional campaign, and I would want to support him to unseat Casey.
BUT…
If he were to renege on his decision to abandon his incumbency, he would be manifesting ego over honor; many GOP’ers would (somewhat reluctantly) mirror my conclusion, and he would damage the very party loyalty that has become profoundly lacking during recent years.
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I would add that Jim could have announced he was competing for both the Gubernatorial and Congressional seats, but he did not. Therefore, to offer himself suddenly as an alternative in a crowded race would be construed as disingenuous at-best, notwithstanding whatever support he would anticipate receiving as an incumbent.
A good congressman? Is Skip Brion doing drugs these days?
Gerlach sucks. He is my congressman and would never want him representing me ever again!