By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com

Democratic State Senator Daylin Leach has withdrawn his endorsement of 6th District Congressional candidate Doug Pike, the lawmaker told PoliticsPA on Monday, an unusual decision for any politician that indicates how dramatically the district’s Democratic primary has been reshaped in recent months.

Pike, a former editorial writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, faces former Iraq war physician Manan Trivedi for the party’s nomination.

Leach, in a statement he sent to PoliticsPA, said he’s trying “to adhere to a policy of not involving myself in Democratic primaries within my district.”

“I originally endorsed Doug in the race at a time when it appeared that there would be no other candidates in the Democratic primary,” Leach said. “Since then, another candidate, running a serious campaign has entered the race. Therefore, I am reverting to my original policy of non-involvement.”

Leach is considered one of the state’s most prominent social liberals. Earlier this year he introduced a bill in the Senate legalizing same-sex marriage.

It’s not good news for Pike, who seemed poised during the summer to lock up his party’s nomination. The former journalist, who declared his candidacy in April, was the only Democrat in the race until Trivedi entered it in September.

Pike received endorsements from the entire Democratic southeast congressional delegation as well as local party leaders, and his fundraising, driven by contributions from his personal fortune, was among the best for any congressional candidate nationwide.

But Trivedi’s campaign quickly gained legitimacy when he reported raising more than $100,000 in the third fiscal quarter and received endorsements from current state senator Andy Dinniman and former state senator Connie Williams.

Pike still has an edge in endorsements, although it remains to be seen if any other party insiders similarly switch allegiances between the candidates.

The shifting support among the district’s political establishment sets the stage for a competitive campaign from both men as they now try to persuade voters, not party insiders, they’re the best candidate.