I know why this man is smiling.

With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, Republican Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) is sitting on a $700,000 campaign war chest.

That doesn't bode well for his Democratic challenger, Bob Roggio, whose campaign has failed to catch on with voters in Gerlach's suburban SE Pennsylvania district.

Gerlach, who is seeking his fourth two-year term in the House of Representatives, has just launched a district-wide television campaign highlighting his independent record in Congress.

From the Jim Gerlach for Congress Committee:

The campaign of Congressman Jim Gerlach will file its quarterly finance report Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission, showing nearly $2.2 million raised for the cycle, $300,000 of which was raised recently, and over $700,000 available for the final three weeks of the campaign. The campaign also launched a new television advertisement district-wide.

The television ad running on network and cable highlights the Congressman's long record of being rated one of the most independent Republicans in Washington by two non-partisan publications, National Journal and Congressional Quarterly.

The ad also contrasts with Bob Roggio, who stated earlier this year that the very first thing he would do in Congress is repeal tax cuts that have saved Pennsylvania families over $2,000 per year, a disastrous economic policy during a recession and economic downturn.

Second, despite "candidate" Roggio claiming that the environment is a top priority, the ad informs voters of official Environmental Protection Agency records filed by Roggio's company between 1989 and 1996 showing that the corporation released over 245,000 pounds of toxic chemicals into the air.

Finally, "candidate" Roggio says he wants to bring jobs to Pennsylvania. The problem is, numerous press reports beginning in 1995 show that Roggio's company accepted millions in corporate welfare and tax breaks to close its Pennsylvania plant and move over 500 jobs out of state.