Gerlach: I’ve been asked to primary Specter, but remain focused on governor’s race

Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) said that while he has been asked by some to wage a primary challenge against Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), he remains focused on a possible race for governor.

Some Pennsylvania voters have expressed frustration with Specter’s support of the stimulus bill, Gerlach said, “And many of these people asked me to consider running.”

“But I told them that I am fully exploring a run for Governor which is why we’ve filed the necessary paperwork with the Department of State,” he explained in an interview with Politics PA.

“This exploratory process began after a really surprising number of constituents, longtime supporters and friends started asking me to look into running, which I did give more serious consideration to after Election Day,” he said, dismissing that tough redistricting for his House seat is spurring him into running.

Gerlach also said he wasn’t worried about a geographical, Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia, primary.

“It will be more about who has the experience, elect-ability, enthusiasm, record of fiscally conservative leadership, ability to raise the money needed and can show they have the drive to win, so we can change Pennsylvania for the better,” he said.

Should Gerlach pull the trigger on a gubernatorial run, he’ll face at least one Republican opponent in the primary, state Attorney General Tom Corbett.