Gerlach looks set to keep his seat in Congress

U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach held a solid lead Tuesday night over his Democratic challenger, Manan Trivedi, a Reading physician, for a fifth term in the sprawling Sixth Congressional District.

Gerlach, 55, made brief comments to supporters at Ludwig's Oyster House at Ludwigs Corner just after 10 p.m. and returned home to Chester Springs to watch the results with his family, press secretary Kori Walter said. She said Gerlach did not want to keep his supporters out late.

Trivedi, 36, an Iraq war veteran from Birdsboro, Berks County, was making his first bid for elected office.

"At this point we're still seeing a significant amount of votes that have not yet been counted," said Trivedi's press secretary, Lindsay Fritchman. "We remain optimistic and are awaiting the final results."

The crab-shaped district stretches from Lower Merion to Reading and takes in parts of Montgomery, Chester, Berks, and Lehigh Counties.

Gerlach, who began his political career in 1990 when he won a state House seat, has survived several tight races in the Sixth District, which was created in 2001 with boundaries to favor him. He won with his widest margin in 2008, with 52 percent of the vote.

In July 2009, he announced that he would not seek a fifth term and planned to run for governor. He changed his mind in January, citing a lack of campaign cash.

During the fall campaign, Gerlach sought to portray Trivedi as an ultraliberal out of sync with voters in the district.

Trivedi suggested that "Beltway syndrome" had alienated Gerlach from his constituents after nearly two decades in office.

The two disagreed on most issues. Gerlach said he supported extending the Bush tax cuts to all, including those making more than $250,000 annually, while Trivedi favored cuts only for those making less than $250,000 a year.

Trivedi supported abortion rights and repealing the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy for gay military-service members, while Gerlach said he opposed abortion except in limited circumstances and would wait for the results of a defense study before making a decision on the policy. Gerlach said he would favor repealing the health-care bill, while Trivedi called it "a step in the right direction."

At polling places Tuesday, some voters said they advocated an overall shift from Democratic to Republican rule. Others said they believed some Republicans had held office too long in Chester County.

A number of Democrats said they received extra motivation to vote by polls that predicted a Republican sweep.

"I got a little nervous hearing that," said Kristin Rybandt, 36, of West Chester, adding that she interrupted packing for a family trip to Walt Disney World to cast her ballot.

Matthew Deangelis, 51, of Downingtown, shared her concern about a GOP landslide.

He said he hoped to oust politicians like Gerlach who "toe the line." He said he thought Trivedi would be more independent and "more sensible."

Sheila Fulling, 38, of West Chester, said she typically voted on issues, rarely opting for a single party lever. She said she deviated from that routine Tuesday, voting straight Republican.

"I support some of Obama's initiatives, but I don't think we have the money to pay for them. I'm uncomfortable borrowing so much," she said. "I have three children, and I'm worried about their future."

Sue Phifer, 57, of East Bradford Township, said she feared that Republican dominance would return the country to the problems created by President George W. Bush.

"I voted for Trivedi because we need a change," she said.