Gerlach re-elected in 6th Congressional District

Republican Jim Gerlach maintained his 6th Congressional seat by a 57 percent to 43 percent edge, holding off Democratic challenger Manan Trivedi. In January, Congressman Gerlach will head back to Washington D.C. for the 6th time representing the suburban Philadelphia district. Susan Phillips reports. 

 Jim Gerlach says the most important issues on his agenda are jobs, the economy, and the deficit. But he wonders whether a second-term President Obama will work with the Republican-controlled House.

“If he does that then we might get things done,” Gerlach said.” If he stays out to the left, and doesn’t try to work with leadership, does not try to work with members, then there’s going to be a lot of division once again.”

Republicans maintain a majority in the House of Representatives, and for the past four years have been at odds with the President on health care and budget issues. 

 It was the second time Trivedi failed to unseat Gerlach in the suburban Philadelphia district. But Trivedi, who spent more money on television ads than his opponent, says he has no regrets.

 “Look, it’s always tough to beat an incumbent,” he said. “And name recognition, and some entrenched interests and entrenched power is tough to remove.”

 Trivedi says the remapping of the district after the 2010 cenus hurt him. The 6th district includes Chester County, and parts of Berks, Lebanon and Montgomery counties. The city of Reading was left out of the newly mapped district, which is where Trivedi lives.