Chester County businessman Steven Welch announced this morning that he is ending his quest to represent Pennsylvania's 6th District in Congress preventing what could have been a costly primary battle with incumbent Jim Gerlach.

Gerlach said last year he was going to seek a move to the Governor's Mansion rather than re-election to Congress, causing several strong candidates to put their hats in the ring for the GOP primary. Gerlach ended the gubernatorial bid Jan. 7. The next day he announced he was going to try to keep his House seat.

State Rep. Curt Schroder (R-155) left the field, Jan. 11, so with Welch's announcement the most dangerous primary challengers to Gerlach are out of the game.


The gerrymanded 6th District  includes Lower Merion in Montgomery County, Coatesville and Yellow Springs in Chester County, a large part of Berks County and part of Lehigh County.

Kudos to Pa2010.Com for the tip.