U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R., Pa.) is facing a rematch with his 2004 Democratic opponent, Lois Murphy, in a district which contains parts of Montgomery, Chester and Berks Counties in the western Philadelphia suburbs.  It also extends a bit beyond into the Pennsylvania countryside.

Gerlach is one of a dozen House Republicans seeking re-election, whom Congressional Quarterly has currently placed into its “No Clear Favorite” category.  This categorization undoubtedly stems from Gerlach’s pair of narrow victories in 2002 and 2004, despite running in a district which was tailor-made for him (Gerlach had previously served in the Pennsylvania state Senate, and his Republican colleagues drew the district explicitly for him to rise to the U.S. House).
 

This is the ultimate swing district in Pennsylvania.  In 2004, Democratic challenger John F. Kerry narrowly defeated President George W. Bush by a 51%-49% margin in the district.  At the same time, Gerlach held off Murphy by a 51%-49% margin, running a critical two points ahead of President Bush, just enough to secure a second term.

Questions?  Comments?  Information? You can contact Craig Dimitri at cdimitri1@yahoo.com.