Jim Gerlach



Jim Gerlach has been a Repubilican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional district, since 2003. (map)

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

ARMPAC recipient
Gerlach received $30,000 in contributions from former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's political action committee ARMPAC. Following DeLay's indictment, opponent Lois Murphy and other Democrats have criticized Gerlach for not returning the contributions or donating them to charity. 

F.E.C. penalty for campaign violations
Gerlach’s campaign committee will pay a fine of $120,000 in conjunction with the Federal Election Commission (F.E.C.)'s ruling. Gerlach’s committee over-reported contributions by more than $2 million in some 2004 and 2005 reports. The FEC also said there was reason to believe the committee misreported $9,000 in refunded contributions as unitemized contributions in October 2005 and failed to itemize contributor information in its 2004 end-of-year report after receiving $9,000 from a joint fundraising committee. Gerlach’s 2006 opponent, Lois Murphy (D) filed the complaint.

Bio
Gerlach was born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania on February 25, 1955. He graduated from Dickinson College. Gerlach was elected to the Pennsylvania state house in 1990, where he served until 1995. He was elected to the Pennsylvania state senate in 1994. While in the State Senate, he helped change the state's welfare laws.

Congressional career
Gerlach was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2002, representing Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District, an unusually-shaped district designed for Gerlach to win. He defeated Dan Wofford, 51%-49%.

In 2004, Gerlach won a close re-election against Democrat Lois Murphy, who is challenging Gerlach again in 2006.

2006 elections
In 2006, Democrats nominated Lois Murphy to face Gerlach in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Gerlach once again retained his seat.

References
 * Eichel, Larry. GOP Redistricting Gamble Looks Safe.  Philadelphia Inquirer.  October 16, 2002.  Accessed December 30, 2005.
 * CNN.com Election 2002 - State Races: Pennsylvania. Accessed December 30, 2005.

Money in politics
cid=N00025025&cycle=2006

Committees

 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Railroads
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises
 * Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy Trade and Technology
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Economic Development Public Buildings & Emergency Management
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * The Republican Main Street Partnership
 * Republicans For Environmental Protection.

More Background Data

 * 2006 Pennsylvania CD 6 Candidate List from VIS

Contact
DC Office: 308 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-3806 Phone: 202-225-4315 Fax: 202-225-8440 Web Email Website

District Office- Exton: 111 East Uwchlan Avenue Exton, PA 19341 Phone: 610-594-1415 Fax: 610-594-1419

District Office- Kutztown: Borough of Kutztown Borough Building 45 Railroad Street Kutztown, PA 19530 Phone: Fax:

District Office- Trappe: 580 Main Street, Suite 4 Trappe, PA 19426 Phone: 610-409-2780 Fax: 610-409-7988

District Office- Wyomissing: 501 North Park Road Wyomissing, PA 19610 Phone: 610-376-7630 Fax: 610-376-7633

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Freedom's Watch

Articles

 * Jonathan Weisman and Anushka Asthana, "GOP Lawmakers Edge Away From Optimism on Iraq," Washington Post, July 20, 2006.
 * David R. Mark, "Several Northeast Republicans Distancing Themselves From Bush As Election Draws Near," JABBS Blogspot, August 24, 2006.
 * Michael Abramowitz, "GOP Candidates Claim Degrees Of Separation From President," Washington Post, September 5, 2006.
 * Aaron Blake “Gerlach to pay $120,000 for over-reported contributions” The Hill, April 11, 2007.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * The All-Spin Zone
 * Above Average Jane