Linda Fields, a longtime labor organizer and political activist, announced her intentions to seek the Democratic nomination for the state’s 17th Senate District. She becomes at least the third Democrat, joining activist Sara Atkins and Norristown Area School Board President Shae Ashe, to announce a primary challenge to incumbent state Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery).
In a release about her candidacy, she mentioned that she is jumping in the race to “restore the people’s trust” in their elected officials. Calls for Leach to resign have grown from the Delaware and Montgomery County Democratic committees up to Gov. Tom Wolf, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman amid sexual assault allegations, which Leach denies. Separately, he apologized for incidents of inappropriate conduct with staff members. He has refused to resign.
“I’m running to restore the people’s trust in their representation and the integrity of the elected office,” Fields said in a campaign release. “I will unite the 17th district and serve with honor, humility, and respect.”
Ashe, Atkins, and Fields have all mentioned “restoring integrity” into the office while announcing their bid to defeat the elected Democrat.
For 28 years she worked as a National Organizer and Business Agent for the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees, District 1199C, AFSCME, AFL-CIO until 2018, according to her campaign website. The Mainline Times reports that she’s racked up the endorsements of several unions, while she still currently works as a special assistant for Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 135 in Norristown. Fields also served as an elected delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
This is not Fields’ first bid for public office. In 2018, she attempted to unseat state Sen. Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery) in the 24th District, but lost by just under 5 points. In her campaign announcement, Fields said she’s split time between her two homes in King of Prussia and Pottstown in Montgomery County for the past 20 years, but moved back to her home in King of Prussia in 2019.
Her announcement details her previous support for Leach and that he endorsed her candidacy for office in 2018, including a $500 campaign contribution. She said she recently donated the $500 from her surplus in her 2018 PAC fund to Victim Services Center of Montgomery County and the Women’s Center of Montgomery County as a sign that she will not “excuse inappropriate behavior towards women of any kind for any reasons from anyone.”
Leach’s campaign has not commented on Fields entrance into the race, but when primary opponents have accused him of not being able to do the job and being distracted, a spokesperson from his campaign said that is not true.
“I would not say the senator is distracted,” said Andrew Blum, a spokesperson for Leach’s 2020 campaign to Mainline Times. “I would not say that is a fair characterization.”
Fields’ campaign website lists the following as priorities, “Ensuring affordable, quality healthcare for all, Improving public education, Preserving our environment for future generations, Advancing women’s rights, Combating the opioid epidemic, Fixing our ailing Infrastructure, Protecting LGBTQIA rights, Pushing for common sense reforms for gun laws, Capitalizing on medical marijuana and adult use marijuana, Safeguarding fair elections through voting rights and redistricting, and Fighting for workers’ rights.”
Leach has not faced a primary challenger since being elected to the state Senate in 2009.
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5 Responses
Daylin is the best thing that ever happened to Government in Pennsylvania . The Democrats that want him out are a bunch of Hypocrites . Every Democrat begged Daylin to speak at their events including Fund Raisers . I Call B.S. on all the Democrats trying to Force Daylin out .
If Daylin Leach runs again there is going to be more challengers than Linda Fields. Leach is too easy a target for any ambitious Democrat in SD 17 to pass up. If he does not run again there will be even more Democratic candidates running in the Democratic primary for the open seat.
Clearly, some people feel Daylin Leach can be defeated. We’ll see. At least there is not some tiresome howling for his resignation. The voters always should be given final say. It’s hard to predict what will happen right now.
The Montgomery County Democratic Party and pretty much every state rep and high ranking elected official signed a formal complaint calling for his resignation. That’s what everyone was howling for.
However, the best chance to defeat Daylin is with a single challenger. Less is more and more is less, when challenging an incumbent. The non-Daylin candidates need to meet and decide amongst themselves which ONE will run against Daylin.
I don’t care if they draw straws, roll dice, pick high-card from a deck, pull a name out of a hat or do Hunger Games.
JUST PICK ONE !
How handy she “moved” back to K of P. All the watch from Pottstown. Ridiculous.