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'''Jim Gerlach''' (born [[February 25]] [[1955]]) is a [[politician]] from the [[U.S. state|state]] of [[Pennsylvania]], currently representing the state's [[United States House of Representatives, Pennsylvania District 6|6th Congressional district]] ([http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/pa06_109.gif map]) in the [[U.S. House of Representatives]]. |
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== NOT GOING TO WIN THE ELECTION.... GOING TO LOSE TO A WOMAN == |
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== Education and early career == |
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Gerlach was born in [[Ellwood City, Pennsylvania]]. He graduated from [[Dickinson College]] where he was a member of the [[Sigma Chi]] Fraternity, with a B.A. in political science. He also earned his law degree from [[Dickinson School of Law]] in [[1980]], and then worked in [[Downingtown, Pennsylvania]] for the law firm Valocchi, Fischer, and Gerlach (now Valocchi, Fischer, and Laverty), prior to beginning his career in elected office. |
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Gerlach was elected to the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives]] in [[1990]] as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], by 23 votes out of 17,000 cast. He won re-election in 1992 with 64% of the vote. He was elected to the [[Pennsylvania State Senate]] in [[1994]], with 67% of the vote, and re-elected in 1998 without opposition. While in the State Senate, he helped change the state's welfare laws. |
Gerlach was elected to the [[Pennsylvania House of Representatives]] in [[1990]] as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], by 23 votes out of 17,000 cast. He won re-election in 1992 with 64% of the vote. He was elected to the [[Pennsylvania State Senate]] in [[1994]], with 67% of the vote, and re-elected in 1998 without opposition. While in the State Senate, he helped change the state's welfare laws. |
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Revision as of 17:16, 26 October 2006
James "Jim" Gerlach | |
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| File:Jimgerlach.gif | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 6th district | |
| In office 2003-present | |
| Preceded by | Tim Holden |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
NOT GOING TO WIN THE ELECTION.... GOING TO LOSE TO A WOMAN
Gerlach was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1990 as a Republican, by 23 votes out of 17,000 cast. He won re-election in 1992 with 64% of the vote. He was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1994, with 67% of the vote, and re-elected in 1998 without opposition. While in the State Senate, he helped change the state's welfare laws.
Congressional career
Election and re-election
Gerlach was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2002, representing Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District, an unusually-shaped district (sometimes called the "Pterodactyl District"[1]) designed for Gerlach to win.[2] He defeated Dan Wofford 51.4%-48.6%.[3] In 2004, Gerlach won a close re-election against Democrat Lois Murphy, 51.0% - 49.0%.
Political positions and actions
Gerlach is a member of two moderate political groups, The Republican Main Street Partnership, which supports embryonic stem-cell research, and Republicans For Environmental Protection. He is on the Financial Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. The liberal Americans for Democratic Action rated Gerlach's 2005 voting record at 35 points out of 100; the American Conservative Union gave him 56 points.
In 2003, Gerlach succeeded in getting a law passed that specified there would be a new veterans cemetery in the Philadelphia area within four years. The nearest military cemetery to accept casket burials was located 90 miles from Philadelphia.
Gerlach has strongly supported Schuylkill Valley commuter rail. At one point he said of the Bush administration's plan to cut federal money for construction costs from 80 percent to 50 percent: "There's just not going to be enough state and local funds to do the project. It will be a dead project."[citation needed]
Gerlach has advocated the passage of legislation that would expand federal regulation of so-called "puppy mills," and co-sponsored medical liability legislation.
Gerlach voted to make the Patriot Act permanent, and for continued intelligence gathering without civil oversight as recommended by the 9/11 Commission.[4]
Controversies
DeLay's ARMPAC contributions
In his three congressional campaigns Gerlach has received a total of $30,000 in contributions from former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's political action committee ARMPAC, now disbanded. Following DeLay's indictment on money-laundering charges, Murphy and other Democrats criticized Gerlach for not returning the contributions or donating them to charity.[1] Gerlach has stated that he would return the contributions if DeLay was convicted of the crimes for which he was indicted.[2]
2006 re-election campaign
In 2006, Gerlach was not opposed in the primary. In the general election, he again faces Lois Murphy. This race is among the most competitive in the House in 2006. (See Notable U.S. House elections, 2006 - Pennsylvania.) As of September 30, 2006, Gerlach had raised $2.9 million compared to Murphy's $2.8 million, and had $1.2 cash on hand versus Murphy's $.9 million. The NRCC has also spent $1.6 million in support of Gerlach. Three different analysts show there is no clear leader in the race.
References
- ^ PA-6 Campaign 2004 USAToday.com, accessed October 18th, 2006
- ^ Larry Eichel, GOP Redistricting Gamble Looks Safe. Philadelphia Inquirer, October 16, 2002. Accessed October 18, 2006
- ^ Election 2002 - State Races: Pennsylvania, CNN.com, accessed October 18, 2005
- ^ http://www.issues2000.org/PA/Jim_Gerlach_Homeland_Security.htm#2006-103
External links
- Congressman Jim Gerlach - official Web site
- Jim Gerlach for Congress - campaign website
- Jim Gerlach - OurCampaigns.com Bio
- Associated Press profile, accessed October 18, 2006
- Voting record maintained by the Washington Post