Leach launches uphill bid for Congress in the 7th
RADNOR » Daylin Leach was off to the races Thursday night at his congressional announcement soiree at the Radnor Hotel.
The goal was to raise half a million dollars, which he’ll need to face off a busy field of five other Democrats in next year’s primary election — and, if all goes his way, eventually face incumbent U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, R-7 of Chadds Ford, who has more cash on hand than any other Pennsylvania House member.
Meehan, who has $2,052,377 in the bank, has invited all comers to vie for the seat in 2018.
It was as early as May that the rumblings for the congressional run of Leach, D-17 of Lower Merion, began to circulate. Late last week Leach had formally committed to running for a seat in Congress in the 7th District.
Thursday night was his debut, insofar as congressional campaigns are concerned, with nearly 300 people packing the banquet hall for his big night.
“I already feel the profound weight of (my children) leaving us and starting their own life journeys and I want to spend as much time as I can with them,” Leach began in an impassioned moment, his voice breaking. “But, I had to weigh this against the unique situation this country finds itself in.”
Chief among those situations? President Donald Trump. Leach said it is common to see progress delayed, but this was the first time in his life it is in danger of being erased and reversed.
The desire for the liberal from Wayne to face off in a moderate district against the thrice re-elected GOP incumbent didn’t come easily. Based upon the crowd’s cheers for a variety of public health issues he’s championed — safe harbor laws for human trafficking victims, marriage equality and the widely popular medical marijuana bill — his commitment to the progressive issues has been a boon for his success in the state Legislature.
He was praised for his desire to bills with little initial support that ultimately led to success for him in Harrisburg.
Addressing a room full of constituents from Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, Berks and Lancaster counties, Leach held back no contempt for the 7th District which he claimed was gerrymandered to the extent of completely undermining democracy itself.
“There is no greater example of the evils of gerrymandering in this county than the district you are standing in right now,” Leach said to a roomful of applause. “This district was drawn to ensure that your votes would never matter ... they drew this district to protect the Republican incumbent ... they stole from you.”
The 7th District has a population of 692,866 who are predominantly white, over 88 percent, with a median household income of $73,638. Most of Delaware County falls within the boundaries of the 7th, save for the city of Chester and the river wards, which are in the 1st District.
His subtle references to Meehan, without actually referencing him by name, continued later when it came to Trump, whom Leach regards as the “single greatest threat” to democracy in the United States.
“Many brave Republicans have risked a great deal to say the emperor has no clothes. Sadly, however, almost none of these brave Republicans are in Congress,” Leach said. “The congressional branch of the Republican party has sold their soul ... some Republicans contort themselves, others agonize publicly over whether to be ‘very concerned’ and do nothing, or ‘extremely troubled’ and do nothing.”
The worst, are silent.
Among the issues Leach aims to continue to champion for his constituency and beyond will be economic policies that would enable paid sick and maternity leave, a $15-an-hour minimum wage, a cost-free college option and singlepayer Leach said, health insurance.
Among his most revealing moments was when Leach gave a brief glimpse into his childhood. He said he never met his birth father, suffered economic deprivation, lived in a series of foster homes, and was abused and neglected.
“But I survived because my community invested in me,” Leach said, speaking to the benefits of welfare, food stamps, public school teachers, Pell Grants and students loans.
“I never forgot where I started, and I learned we all need help sometimes,” he said. “We as a society benefit when we care for each other and provide opportunities for each other to succeed. America is about inclusion, we don’t do well unless everyone has a chance to do well.”