Gerlach poll shows him far ahead in race

U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach might not have as much campaign cash as his Republican opponent, but the incumbent has a 71 to 6 percent lead over him, according to a poll the Gerlach campaign commissioned.

The survey, whose results were released today, was conducted Feb. 9-11, questioned 300 likely Republican primary voters.

"With solid numbers like these, Jim is a virtual lock to win the Republican primary," Chris Wilson, the campaign's pollster, said in a statement.

Gerlach, who ditched his bid for governor early in January, is running for a fifth term in the Sixth Congressional District, which includes sections of Chester, Montgomery and Berks Counties. But his late entry to the race means Gerlach lags behind entrepreneur Steve Welch in campaign funds.

Welch, who finished the year with $653,000 on hand, responded to the poll numbers:

"I appreciate Congressman Gerlach confirming what everyone already knows. While I do not have strong name identification, when Sixth District voters know they have a choice, one-third of likely Republican voters either support my campaign or are undecided. I continue meeting with voters and local leaders, and I look forward to sharing my message about responsible results and a new direction in Congress."

Welch, who moved from the Seventh to the Sixth District late last year when Gerlach was running for governor, is hoping to ride a wave of antiestablishment fervor fueling groups such as Tea Partiers.

Despite having to start virtually from scratch after winding down his federal campaign account last year in anticipation of a campaign for governor, Gerlach announced at the end of January that he had secured more than half a million dollars in financial commitments in just three weeks for his primary election campaign.

The poll, conducted Wilson Research Strategies, also showed Gerlach with a 87 to 7 percent favorable-unfavorable rating, while Welch recorded a seven to five percent rating.

Chris Wilson, the campaign's pollster, said the numbers show Gerlach "is a virtual lock to win the Republican primary."

Wilson said Gerlach's Republican support is strongest among the most conservative voters. Of those surveyed, 86 percent said approved of Gerlach's job performance in Congress.