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Gerlach Discusses Possible Senate Run
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| Jim Gerlach |
US Representative May Be Eyeing Governor Post
By Bradley Vasoli, The Bulletin
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn, R-Texas, has spoken with U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-6th, of Berks, Chester, Montgomery and Lehigh counties, to discuss the possibility of his running for the U.S. Senate.
“They are trying to gauge Congressman Gerlach’s interest in running for the United States Senate,” Gerlach spokesman Mark Campbell said, adding that “Jim’s phone’s been ringing off the hook” with calls from those who want him to run for governor or Senate. Mr. Campbell said Mr. Cornyn initiated the discussion with Mr. Gerlach.
News of the national GOP’s interest in Mr. Gerlach as a senate contender comes after U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., left the Republican Party, acknowledging his only electoral chance was with the Democrats.
Mr. Specter’s departure would seem to allow former Congressman Pat Toomey to take the nomination next spring, barring an upset by former gubernatorial candidate Peg Luksik. But many of the same moderate-to-liberal Republicans who supported Mr. Specter in 2004 against a challenge from Mr. Toomey believe the Lehigh Valley-based former representative shouldn’t get past the primaries next year, either.
Mr. Toomey opposes abortion and current levels of government spending. Mr. Gerlach, who has cast some pro-life votes and has opposed President Barack Obama’s trillions in deficit spending, has also voted to fund family planning organizations and to expand entitlements, as well as other spending.
“The congressman’s decision will be based on where he thinks he can best serve and be of most benefit to Pennsylvania taxpayers,” Mr. Campbell said. “That process continues as we speak.”
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us
“They are trying to gauge Congressman Gerlach’s interest in running for the United States Senate,” Gerlach spokesman Mark Campbell said, adding that “Jim’s phone’s been ringing off the hook” with calls from those who want him to run for governor or Senate. Mr. Campbell said Mr. Cornyn initiated the discussion with Mr. Gerlach.
News of the national GOP’s interest in Mr. Gerlach as a senate contender comes after U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., left the Republican Party, acknowledging his only electoral chance was with the Democrats.
Mr. Specter’s departure would seem to allow former Congressman Pat Toomey to take the nomination next spring, barring an upset by former gubernatorial candidate Peg Luksik. But many of the same moderate-to-liberal Republicans who supported Mr. Specter in 2004 against a challenge from Mr. Toomey believe the Lehigh Valley-based former representative shouldn’t get past the primaries next year, either.
Mr. Toomey opposes abortion and current levels of government spending. Mr. Gerlach, who has cast some pro-life votes and has opposed President Barack Obama’s trillions in deficit spending, has also voted to fund family planning organizations and to expand entitlements, as well as other spending.
“The congressman’s decision will be based on where he thinks he can best serve and be of most benefit to Pennsylvania taxpayers,” Mr. Campbell said. “That process continues as we speak.”
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us
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