Gerlach withdraws from GOP gubernatorial race. Dems target PA-6.

[femmocrat]

Gerlach withdraws his gubernatorial bid, citing fundraising trouble
Friday, January 08, 2010
By James O'Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach's decision to withdraw, the Republican primary for governor became a two-man race pitting Tom Corbett, a candidate who demonstrated broad voter appeal in his re-election as attorney general, against a legislative veteran, state Rep. Sam Rohrer, who will portray himself to the GOP base as the more ideologically committed conservative.

Before and after Mr. Gerlach's surprising announcement yesterday afternoon, Mr. Corbett was the clear front-runner for the GOP nomination, but the development at least enhances the opportunity for Mr. Rohrer to cast himself as the alternative to the consensus favorite of the party's hierarchy. Mr. Corbett has already received the personal endorsements of many of the state's most prominent and influential Republicans and, with or without Mr. Gerlach's opposition, was expected to easily capture the party's formal backing in its endorsement vote in February.

>snip<


The expectation that Mr. Gerlach's 6th Congressional District would be an open seat attracted a sizable early field for the 2010 race, with multiple candidates from each party campaigning to succeed him. It also made the seat a prime target of national Democrats in a year in which many analysts have forecast erosion of their majority in the House.

"The 6th District is one of our top pick-up opportunities regardless of whether or not Jim Gerlach decides to run for re-election," said Shripal Shah, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

But Democrats have been frustrated in repeated attempts to dislodge Mr. Gerlach from a district that has been increasingly friendly to Democrats in statewide and national elections.



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10008/1026658-454.stm#ixzz0c4UyBOK2

[JPZenger]

1. GOP candidate Schroder withdraws from Pa-6

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=185742

[femmocrat]

2. Are there any dems with a chance?

Looks like Gerlach won't have any or much opposition in the primary.

[JPZenger]

3. Very competitive district

Gerlach has just barely won re-election in the past. This district has at times been held by Dems. It is very competitive as far as Repbs. vs. Dems. Doug Pike is the leading Dem candidate. He happens to have an advantage of being able to fund much of his initial expenses with his own money.