Murphy outraising Gerlach in tight House race

Even President Bush's fundraising efforts couldn't help Republican Rep. Jim Gerlach edge out his Democratic challenger.

Gerlach, who represents the 6th District in suburban Philadelphia, raised about $453,000 for the quarter that ended June 30, while attorney Lois Murphy raised $740,000, according to their campaigns.

Gerlach ended the quarter with $1.3 million cash on hand, slightly less than the $1.4 million in cash that Murphy has.

The two-term Gerlach narrowly defeated Murphy in 2004. Their rematch is considered one of the most competitive House races in the nation.

About $150,000 of Gerlach's money was raised during a May 24 fundraiser with Bush in Philadelphia.

In northeast Pennsylvania, Republican Rep. Don Sherwood outraised his Democratic opponent, Chris Carney, according to their campaigns.

Sherwood raised $333,681 during the quarter, and ended it with $479,135 in cash. Carney, a former Pentagon intelligence analyst who is now a professor at Penn State University's Worthington Scranton campus, raised $210,000 in the quarter and ended it with $295,000 in cash.

Saturday is the deadline for congressional candidates to file their fundraising totals with the Federal Election Commission.