Amanda Cappelletti Holds Large Lead In Bid To Unseat Daylin Leach

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Challenger Amanda Cappelletti holds an large lead in the Democratic primary battle for the 17th Senatorial District. Her campaign against incumbent State Sen. Daylin Leach is one of the more compelling local races in Tuesday night's election.

Just before midnight Tuesday, Cappelletti had a commanding lead over Leach of more than 14 percentage points, 5,304 votes to 3,979. A total of 350 of 431 precincts had reported in at that time.

Because Montgomery County has delayed the deadline for ballots to be received to June 9 amid the ongoing unrest and health crisis, it's possible results might not be available Tuesday night for this race, and for many others around the county — especially the close ones.

Leach has served in the State Senate for 11 years, and was in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for six years before that. While he has won a string of re-election victories, things changed drastically when he was accused of misconduct with various female members of his staff over the years.

Gov. Wolf and numerous other state Democratic leaders called for Leach to resign,removing him from caucus. But Leach dug in, and filed a defamation suit in return against his accuser.

Cappelletti, 33, a current East Norriton Township Supervisor, has the backing of Gov. Wolf in the race. She has also received an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

"This race isn’t about whose platform is more progressive, though," Cappelletti wrote in a Patch profile of the election back in April. "It’s about more than votes on the Senate floor. It’s about being vocal on the Senate floor. It’s about the character of the people we elect to office. It’s about restoring dignity and respect back to the office. It matters who we elect to serve us."

Cappelletti added that healthcare reform would be a key part of her platform moving forward.

Leach also points to healthcare as a key issue and has touted his anti-fracking record throughout the campaign.

The winner will face Republican Ellen Fisher in the general election in the fall. Fisher is running unopposed in Tuesday's primary on the Republican ballot.

The 17th Senatorial District covers parts of both Delaware and Montgomery counties, including Haverford, Radnor, Bridgeport, Norristown, East Norriton, Lower Merion, Narberth, Plymouth, Upper Merion, West Conshohocken, and Whitpain.