By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com
The 6th District GOP field has one fewer candidate after local official Ryan Costello announced Monday he is withdrawing his candidacy, leaving four Republicans left to campaign in the highly competitive primary.
“While I believe I would have made a strong and respectable showing during the endorsement process, and would have been able to present myself as a strong standard-bearer for the Republican Party in the general election, at this point I have determined that it is not in the cards for me for the 2010 election cycle,” Costello said in a statement. “It is crucial to our State and Country that the 6th Congressional District remains in the Republican column, and I will enthusiastically support the Republican candidate who wins the 2010 primary.”
Costello’s decision will surprise few local Republicans, many of whom speculated he would drop out after Steve Welch switched his campaign from the 7th to 6th District. The Chester County Recorder of Deeds produced anemic fundraising numbers compared to Welch and state Rep. Curt Schroder, who each raised more than $100,000.
Former state Revenue Secretary Howard Cohen and Ron Paul disciple Patrick Sellers are also in the race, and Lower Merion Commissioner V. Scott Zelov is also considering a campaign.
Some party insiders see the 6th District race as a contest between Schroder, considered the conservative candidate, and Welch, seen as more moderate. Sellers is viewed as a long-shot, while Cohen, with an extensive background in academia, government and the private sector, the wildcard.
Each is trying to succeed incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, who is running for governor instead of re-election.
