Roddey lambastes Gerlach, endorses Corbett

Timothy McNulty | October 12, 2009

GOP gubernatorial hopeful Jim Gerlach has long argued that his primary opponent, state AG Tom Corbett, should resign from his office while campaigning. So when Jim Roddey said something similar to the Post-Gazette in regards to a possible House run by US Atty Mary Beth Buchanan, Gerlach pointed that out -- much to Roddey's chagrin. (It probably didn't help that Roddey foe Jim Burn, the head of the county's Democratic committee, made the same argument.)

Roddey, Allegheny County's GOP chief, said that Gerlach was not only wrong, but it had pushed him to formally endorse Corbett (who hails from Shaler).

This is from a letter the former county exec sent to Gerlach's HQ today:

As a federal legislator, I must assume you know that the office of U.S. Attorney is an appointed position, and therefore political activities are restricted. I also assume you know that the state Attorney General position is elected, and therefore has no such restrictions. I feel confident you must know this because I am sure you noticed that last November Tom Corbett received more votes than any other Republican in Pennyslvania's history.

In the last few months, I, and many other Republican leaders across the state, have become increasingly disappointed with the tone and rhetoric of your campaign. . .

. . . Jim, my meetings with you in the past have always left me impressed with your abilities, ideas, and vision. I had a great deal of respect for you. Unfortunately, that has now changed. I can only hope that you are being terribly misguided by your advisors, and do not condone these type of deceptive campaign promises.

Today, I am informing you that as the Republican Chairman of the county with the largest number of Republican voters in Pennsylvania, I am joining Governors Tom Ridge and Richard Thornburgh in officially endorsing Tom Corbett to be our next Governor. I believe Tom Corbett has always represented Pennsylvania honestly and with dignity. And clearly last year's election results prove the majority of voters in Pennsylvania agree.

Jim, on a personal note, I ask that the next time you or your campaign use a quote by me you do so accurately and without distorting the facts.

(Emphasis added.)