After taking almost $1 million from the financial industry but refusing to hold the big banks accountable for their risky practices, it’s no surprise to see “Wall Street’s” Jim Gerlach campaign with “Wall Street’s” Pat Toomey.  After all, both Gerlach and Toomey have proven to be more interested in protecting Wall Street special interests than they are committed to helping Pennsylvania families who are struggling with the worst recession the country has seen in decades.  But Gerlach’s decision to campaign with Toomey does serve as a timely reminder of where the Congressman’s priorities lie – on Wall Street, not in Pennsylvania.

“Jim Gerlach’s decision to campaign with Wall Street’s Pat Toomey only reinforces what we already knew: he, like Toomey, is more committed to protecting special interests on Wall Street than he is families in Pennsylvania,” said Mark Nicastre, spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Democratic Party. “Pennsylvanians recognize that Wall Street doesn’t need more representatives like Pat Toomey and Jim Gerlach in Washington. The Gerlach-Toomey agenda is ‘flat out’ wrong for Pennsylvania families.”

BACKGROUND

Jim Gerlach received nearly $1 million from Finance and Insurance industry interests. The finance and insurance industries have been among Gerlach’s top donors each election cycle since his first run in 2002. In that time he’s received nearly $1 million from that sector.

Election Cycle  Amount from Finance & Insurance
2001-2002       $76,950
2003-2004       $139,171
2005-2006       $318,808
2007-2008       $261,474
2009-2010       $110,900
TOTAL   $907,303

[CQ Moneyline]

Jim Gerlach voted against efforts to reform Wall Street and hold banks accountable.[HR 4173, #413 <http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll413.xml> , 6/30/10].

On Tuesday, Gerlach campaigned with Wall Street’s Pat Toomey. [Reading Eagle <http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=243507> , 8/24/10]