Jim Gerlach

Last updated

In their rematch in 2006, Gerlach again beat Murphy by an even narrower margin of 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent (unofficial results as of November 8, 2006). Gerlach was the only member of the "Philly Trio" of vulnerable Republican Congressmen (the others being Curt Weldon and Mike Fitzpatrick) to survive the 2006 election. He overcame a negative political climate that included the then-unpopular war in Iraq, an unpopular president and a well-liked Democratic governor. Geography also played a factor; similar to the previous two cycles Gerlach carried Chester County, Berks County, and Lehigh County by significant margins, [29] while Murphy carried the heavily Democratic Montgomery County portion of the district. [30]

2008

In the 2008 election, Gerlach defeated Democratic nominee Bob Roggio to win a fourth term.

In all three contests, Gerlach survived by swamping his Democratic opponents in Chester County, where he resides.

2010

In February 2009, Gerlach formed a committee to explore a run for Governor of Pennsylvania in the 2010 election. [31] [32] [33] Gerlach ended his campaign for governor on January 7, 2010. [34]

Gerlach had been mentioned as a potential candidate for the United States Senate seat held by Arlen Specter after John Cornyn, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, contacted him following Specter's May 2009 party-switch. [35] However, he ultimately decided not to run for the Senate [36] and instead sought reelection to the House. [37] He faced the Democratic nominee Manan Trivedi, an Iraq war veteran and physician, but won re-election with 57% of the vote.

2012

Gerlach was again challenged by Democratic nominee Manan Trivedi. Once again, he prevailed over Trivedi at 57 to 43%. He got a substantial assist from the post-census redistricting. The 6th was pushed to the west, extending a tendril across Berks County to grab much of heavily Republican Lebanon County. While Barack Obama carried the old 6th with 58 percent of the vote in 2008, [38] Obama would have only won the new 6th with 53 percent. Ultimately, Mitt Romney narrowly carried the new 6th with just over 50 percent of the vote. [39]

Personal life

Gerlach has three children and three step-children. He currently lives in Chester Springs. [40]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Holden</span> American politician (born 1957)

Thomas Timothy Holden is an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Democratic member of the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district from 1993 to 2013. Holden was the dean of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation during the 112th United States Congress. On April 24, 2012, Holden was defeated in the Democratic primary in his attempt to seek re-election after the boundaries of his district were redrawn. He is now chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Shuster</span> American politician (born 1961)

William Franklin Shuster is an American politician and lobbyist who served as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district from 2001 to 2019. He is a member of the Republican Party, and is a son of former Congressman Bud Shuster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Doyle (American politician)</span> American politician (born 1953)

Michael F. Doyle Jr. is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district, serving from 1995 to 2022. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district was based in Pittsburgh and included most of Allegheny County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donna Edwards</span> American politician (born 1958)

Donna Fern Edwards is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Maryland's 4th congressional district from 2008 to 2017. The district included most of Prince George's County, as well as part of Anne Arundel County. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominic F. Pileggi</span> American politician

Dominic F. Pileggi is an American politician and judge from Pennsylvania who served as Republican mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania from 1999 to 2002 and as a member of the Pennsylvania 9th Senatorial district from 2002 until January 2016. He was elected judge in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Delaware County in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Dinniman</span> American politician

Andrew E. Dinniman is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 19th District from June 2006 until 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Meuser</span> American businessman and politician (born 1964)

Daniel Philip Meuser is an American businessman, politician, and philanthropist serving as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district since 2019. A Republican, he previously served as the secretary of revenue in the cabinet of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett. He was previously president of the Pride Corporation, a manufacturer of motorized wheelchairs in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton metro area of Pennsylvania, and currently serves the company as a board member and consultant. He has testified before Congress regarding the criticality for federal practices surrounding rights and caring for the disabled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwight Evans (politician)</span> American politician (born 1954)

Dwight Evans is an American politician serving as a U.S representative from Pennsylvania since 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 203rd district for over thirty-five years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brendan Boyle</span> American politician (born 1977)

Brendan Francis Boyle is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing a district in the Philadelphia area since 2015. Since January 2023, he has served as Ranking Member of United States House Committee on the Budget. He represented the 13th district from 2015 to 2019, serving much of Northeast Philadelphia and most of suburban Montgomery County. Since 2019, he has represented the 2nd district, which is entirely within the City of Philadelphia, including all of Northeast Philadelphia and portions of North Philadelphia and Center City Philadelphia, largely east of Broad Street. Boyle represented the 170th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2009 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">H. Scott Conklin</span> American politician

Harry Scott Conklin is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 77th legislative district. He was first elected in 2006. Conklin is a Rush Township resident and has been married to his wife, Terri, since 1984. They have one son, Spencer, who was born in 1987. He was the democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania in 2010, losing by a ten percent margin.

Frank Anthony Pecora was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who represented the 44th District from 1979 to 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manan Trivedi</span> American politician

Manan Trivedi is an American physician, politician, Iraq War veteran and perennial candidate. He was the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district in the 2010, 2012 and 2014 elections, losing to his Republican opponents in each election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redistricting in Pennsylvania</span> Overview about redistricting in Pennsylvania

Redistricting in Pennsylvania refers to the decennial process of redrawing state legislative and federal congressional districts in Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Critz</span> American politician (born 1962)

Mark Stephen Critz is an American politician and former U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, having served from a special election in May 2010 until January 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district during his tenure, which was located in the southwestern portion of the state, stretched from Johnstown to the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Cartwright</span> American politician (born 1961)

Matthew Alton Cartwright is an American politician and lawyer serving as the U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district since 2013. The district, numbered as the 17th district from 2013 through 2019, includes a large swath of northeastern Pennsylvania, anchored by Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and the Poconos. A member of the Democratic Party, Cartwright defeated 10-term incumbent Tim Holden, the dean of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation, in the Democratic primary on April 24, 2012, 57%–43%. He then defeated Republican nominee Laureen Cummings in the general election on November 6, 2012, 61%–39%. As an attorney, Cartwright previously worked at the law firm of Munley, Munley, and Cartwright.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, to elect the 18 U.S. representatives from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, one from each of the state's 18 congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections, including the Governor of Pennsylvania and Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Costello</span> American politician (born 1976)

Ryan Anthony Costello is an American politician, lobbyist and attorney who served as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district from 2015 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was first elected to the Congress in the 2014 midterms. Costello previously served on the Chester County Board of Commissioners (2011–2015), which he chaired from 2013 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the 18 U.S. representatives from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, one from each of the state's 18 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on April 26.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrissy Houlahan</span> American politician (born 1967)

Christina Marie "Chrissy" Houlahan is an American politician, engineer, and former United States Air Force officer. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district. The district includes almost all of Chester County, a suburban county west of Philadelphia, as well as the southern portion of Berks County including the city of Reading. She was first elected in 2018, defeating Republican Greg McCauley in the midterms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Muth</span> American politician

Katie J. Muth is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 44th District. Her district includes portions of northeastern Chester and southwestern Montgomery and southeastern Berks Counties. Muth serves in Senate Democratic Leadership as the Democratic Policy Committee Chair.

References

  1. Congressional Staff Directory. 2010. ISBN   978-0-87289-447-1.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. Martin, Aaron (January 8, 2014). "Gerlach won't seek reelection". Ripon Advance. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  3. "jim gerlach". ancestry.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  4. Lindt, Susan (May 19, 2009). "Gerlach pumps up party at GOP dinner". Lancaster Online. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  5. "All in the Family," Beaver County Times , 2007-11-15, p. A6.
  6. Jones, Evan (March 6, 2020). "Former Congressman Jim Gerlach to lead Greater Reading Chamber Alliance". Reading Eagle. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  7. Rellahan, Michael (October 30, 1990). "James Gerlach seeks office with a drive of a running back". Daily Local News .
  8. "Power plays in Pennsylvania. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  9. Todd, Susan (November 12, 1994). "Gerlach Spent $52,000 To Win State Senate's 44Th District Seat". Morning Call.
  10. PA-6 Campaign 2004 USAToday.com, accessed October 18, 2006
  11. Larry Eichel, GOP Redistricting Gamble Looks Safe. Philadelphia Inquirer, October 16, 2002. Retrieved October 18, 2006.
  12. "Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) won't seek reelection". Washington Post. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  13. "News from The Associated Press". ap.org. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  14. "Congress.gov | Library of Congress". thomas.loc.gov. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Project Vote Smart – The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Project Vote Smart – The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  17. "Project Vote Smart – The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 "Project Vote Smart – The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  19. "Project Vote Smart – The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  20. FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 99
  21. "Retrieve Pages". Frwebgate.access.gpo.gov. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  22. "Family Research Council". frc.org. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  23. "In US-German relations, it's all about jobs". Deutsche Welle . October 4, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  24. Julie Harrison, "House seeks tax incentive for land conservation donations" Archived September 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine , The Ripon Advance, April 9, 2013. (Retrieved April 9, 2013)
  25. Megan R. Wilson, "Ex-Rep. Gerlach ditches K St. in return to campaign world", The Hill, December 6, 2015. (Retrieved Jun 24, 2015)
  26. "ReFormers Caucus - Issue One". 2023.
  27. Election 2002 — State Races: Pennsylvania, CNN.com. Retrieved October 18, 2005.
  28. "Keystone State Yearbook Committee". PoliticsPA . The Publius Group. 2001. Archived from the original on August 3, 2002.
  29. "Chester County, PA – Official Website". chesco.org. Archived from the original on September 1, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  30. Dave Davies, For Gerlach, Murphy, geography was destiny, Daily News; November 9, 2006
  31. [ dead link ]
  32. "Gerlach explores run for governor – The Mercury News: Pottstown, PA and The Tri County areas of Montgomery, Berks and Chester Counties". pottsmerc.com. February 6, 2009. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  33. Gerlach for PA website
  34. http://www.philly.com/philly/news
  35. "Gerlach Discusses Possible Senate Run – The Philadelphia Bulletin Archives". Thebulletin.us. May 4, 2009. Archived from the original on May 8, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  36. "Gerlach not running for Senate – The Scorecard". Politico.Com. June 24, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  37. http://www.philly.com/philly/news
  38. Database of 2008 presidential election results from Swing State Project
  39. Database of presidential election results under 2012 lines from Daily Kos
  40. "About Jim Gerlach". Archived from the original on December 5, 2014.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Jim Gerlach at Wikimedia Commons

Jim Gerlach
Rep. Jim Gerlach.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Pennsylvania's 6th district
In office
January 3, 2003 January 3, 2015
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 155th district

1991–1995
Succeeded by
Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 44th district

1995–2003
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district

2003–2015
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative
Succeeded byas Former US Representative