Court could impact 7th Dist. contest
While Democrats pick a candidate and Republicans worry about an anti-Donald Trump wave, both sides agree that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court may have a big influence in the 7th Congressional District race in 2018.
The state’s top court ordered the Commonwealth Court to rule on a gerrymandering lawsuit filed by the League of Women Voters. Depending on the result, the 7th Congressional District lines may have to be redrawn prior to the election.
The district currently goes from the tips of Lancaster and Berks counties to Montgomery and Delaware counties. It is generally considered one of the most gerrymandered districts in the nation.
If the lines are redrawn, Del-
aware County Democratic Chairman David Landau said, “It would put most, if not all, of Delaware County back into the 7th.”
His counterpart, Delaware County Republican Chairman Andrew Reilly, agreed.
“It all depends on how quickly the Supreme Court rules on it,” he said, adding that the court now has a Democratic majority.
“You go back in time, Democrats draw lines for the Democrats and Republicans draw lines for Republicans,” he said.
There are other considerations.
Landau said the Democratic sweep in Delaware County’s November races, as well as the upset victory of Democrat Doug Jones in the Alabama U.S. Senate race, could be repeated next year. Some observers think the GOP’s control of both the U.S. House and Senate could be imperiled.
“Those trends are continuing,” Landau said.
But first Democrats have to pick a candidate to take on incumbent Republican Rep. Patrick Meehan of Chadds Ford.
Observers are waiting to see what state Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17th Dist., of Upper Merion, will do next. He took a “step back” from his campaign against Meehan after a newspaper published allegations that his bawdy jokes and inappropriate touchiness offended some female staffers.
“He’s taken a step back,” said Landau, who called on Leach to get out of the race. “There’s nothing new on that.”
He said the party continues with its vetting process. Currently, the Democratic field is full with contenders including Drew McGinty, realtor Elizabeth Moro, attorney Dan Muroff and scientist Molly Sheehan.
Asked about the Democratic voter trend, Reilly said GOP officials are focused on helping the incumbent.
“We’re meeting with Pat,” he said. “Pat’s always been really interactive in the community.”
Reilly said there is the possibility that Meehan himself may have a primary race.
However, the Reilly predicted, “Pat will be unanimously endorsed.”