Gerlach could face challenge from journalist

October 18th, 2007, posted by CindySnyder

Philadelphia magazine editor Larry Platt says he’s considering a run for the 6th District congressional seat that Jim Gerlach has held since 2003.

‘‘I’m seriously looking at it,’‘ said Platt, 44, on Wednesday. ‘‘When you are a journalist you spend all this time wringing your hands about what other people do and at some point you say, ‘What are you doing with yourself?’‘’

Platt is the latest in a line of possible candidates to emerge in the perennial swing district, which Gerlach has won by less than 3 percentage points in each of his three election victories. Among those who have been approached about — and decided against — running, are former ‘‘West Wing’‘ actress Melissa Fitzgerald, National Constitution Center Chief Executive Officer Joseph Torsella and state Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-19th, according to Democratic Party officials.

Platt said he was approached by U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, D-1st District, in recent weeks about running for the seat and has received a warm response from other party officials, including Montgomery County Democratic Committee Chairman Marcel Groen. Groen didn’t return a call for comment.

Filed under:

District 6 / Jim Gerlach (R)

Oh no, does that mean laws written like "Best Of"articles?

On October 18th, 2007 blackrobe said:

While, at first blush, I like the idea of a journalist running for office, I’m a little wary of Larry Platt. Under his watch, Philadelphia Magazine has further deteriorated into a series of “best of” articles and a lifestyle magazine for wealthy suburbanites. It’s been a long time since the magazine has engaged in the type of investigative journalism that made it a must-read in the 1970s and 1980s. At this point, its a few small steps from being an ad-rag.
Larry Platt would really have to show me that he has a serious understanding of and concern for the issues relevant to the citizens of the 6th Congressional District before I would consider voting for him.

That Makes Sense

On October 18th, 2007 Anonymous said:

That makes sense and we should pay careful attention to his candidacy, but, knowing something about the regional magazine business, I wouldn’t be so quick to blame Platt. Many regional magazines have moved in this direction and it’s as often about economics as anything else. Advertisers covet spots in the “lifestyle magazine for wealthy suburbanites.”

Since that’s what keeps the presses running, I’d argue that he may have made that choice out of necessity, not desire.

Stanley

Platt Concerns Me

On October 20th, 2007 Anonymous said:

I fully admit that I don’t know much about Larry Platt and am not a regular reader of his magazine. However, as a journalist he has written a great deal. This may sound obvious but it concerns me because at some point in his career he must have expressed an opinion that could allow Congressman Gerlach to paint him in a negative light. I’m thinking about choice or immigration. The Democrats need to run a centrist if they want to win the Sixth.