Former editorial writer Doug Pike (D) announced last week that he will run for the 6th district seat held by Rep. Jim Gerlach (R), who is exploring a gubernatorial bid.

Pike, the son of former New York Rep. Otis Pike (D), is planning to put $1 million of his own funds into the race, according to Democratic sources. Democrats failed to recruit a top-tier candidate last cycle against Gerlach, who still won re-election with only 52 percent. At the same time, President Barack Obama won his suburban Philadelphia district with 58 percent.

“We are confronting the gravest economic challenge of our lifetime, in part because of the policies of George Bush and Jim Gerlach,— Pike said. “Now, Republicans in Congress just say no to everything that President Obama suggests.—

Pike is not the only Democrat looking at the seat: State Sen. Andy Dinniman and 2002 Democratic nominee Dan Wofford are also considering running, but both would be more likely to do so if Gerlach steps aside to run for governor. Gerlach has said he will make a decision by early summer about whether he will run for statewide office or stay in the House.