Release: In Just 3 Weeks, Gerlach Pulls in $525,000 in Commitments
Friday, January 29, 2010
In Just Three Weeks, Congressman Gerlach Pulls in $525,000 in Commitments – and Growing Every Day
Meanwhile, four national publications agree Gerlach significantly improves GOP chances of holding this increasingly Democrat district
(Glenmoore, PA) – Republican Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6) today announced that his campaign has pulled in over $525,000 in commitments since ending his gubernatorial campaign three weeks ago, and opting to seek re-election to Congress.
"The outpouring of support has been tremendous these last three weeks and I am humbled by the faith many have in my ability to win in the fall and continue the hard work we do everyday for taxpayers across Berks, Chester, Lehigh and Montgomery counties,” said Gerlach, first elected to Congress in 2002. "I’m proud to count thousands of volunteers and donors as friends who believe in me and our campaign. I think folks understand that in order to really see change on health care, reducing government spending and a lasting push to create jobs, we’ve got to keep this seat in Republican hands by nominating a candidate who has a long record of public service and a proven record of winning. The strong fundraising since January 8th shows that we are in the best position possible to do that.”
A number of political observers agree. Since January 8th, four different publications have written that Gerlach has significantly improved the chances of Republicans holding this heavily Democrat seat, including Congressional Quarterly, the Rothenberg Political Report, National Journal and UVA Professor Larry Sabato’s "Crystal Ball.”
That’s important considering that of Pennsylvania’s 19 congressional districts, Gerlach’s district gave President Obama his fourth largest vote margin – a greater margin than 9 of the 12 seats currently held by Democrat Congressmen. The only districts giving Obama a larger margin included the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh-based seats of Congressmen Fattah, Brady and Doyle. Notably, Governor Rendell won PA-6 by over 30 points, and Casey and Obama by nearly 20 points, proving that not just "any Republican” can win this seat.
"I have never, in any campaign, taken anything for granted, and I am not about to begin this year. I know I have to work to earn the votes of taxpayers across the district as I do every year, and we’re looking forward to big victories in May and November,” said Gerlach.
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