Gerlach kicks off re-election bid today

U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, the Republican who represents the 6th Congressional District (parts of Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania) is announcing his bid for a fourth term today.

Gerlach has survived three close elections but was one of the few Republican Congressmen from Pennsylvania to win re-election in 2006 when Democrats took control of the House.

Gerlach is announcing his bid for a fourth term via conference call with the press today at 1 p.m.

Several big name Democrats have turned down the opportunity to challenge Gerlach, leaving 2 or 3 no-name candidates to battle it out in the April 22 primary for the chance to go against Gerlach in November.

The pundits think Gerlach is vulnerable, but he survived a challenge in 2006 from Ed Rendell protege Lois Murphy, who received tons of money from the national Democratic Party. (Murphy also lost to Gerlach in 2004).

Gerlach has moderated his voting record in the past year. Democrats won't be able to link Gerlach to the Bush administration this time around. So what do they have? Nothing.

Gerlach is popular with constituents and is a moderate Republican in a swing district. He should win re-election to a new term this year.