KING OF PRUSSIA — State Representative Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) announced today that he will seek election to the Pennsylvania State Senate in the 2008 general election.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to serve the people of the 17th District," said Leach, "I think I've made great progress as representative in promoting a pro-environment, pro-education, pro-reform agenda.  I hope to continue work on the bigger platform the Senate provides."

Current 17th District Senator Constance H. Williams, Governor Ed Rendell, and U.S. Senator Bob Casey will chair Leach’s campaign.  Congressman Joe Sestak will chair the Delaware County effort and Commissioner Joe Hoeffel will head up the effort in Montgomery County. 

Republican chair will be Dr. Richard Schmidt of Bryn Mawr, a long-time active Republican.  Leach says that it is important to reach across party lines: "I seek the support of and will work for all people in the 17th District.  We spend too much time in partisan battles when we should be reaching out to all people of good will to solve problems.”

"Daylin is among the brightest and hardest working people I have met," said Senator Connie Williams, who announced her retirement on December 24th and is also endorsing Rep. Leach for the seat she will vacate, "I am very enthusiastic that Daylin will carry on my accomplishments in the Senate.”

Representative Leach said that he was grateful for Senator Williams confidence.  "I have very large shoes to fill.  Connie's commitment to public service is an inspiration to me.”

Leach, a graduate of Temple University and University of Houston Law School, was a practicing attorney and college professor for 17 years before being elected to the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives in 2002.  In Harrisburg, he has focused on the environment, education, women's heath, and government reform.  Leach currently lives in Upper Merion with his wife Jennifer, who earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College, and their two children, Brennan 6 and Justin 4.

Leach will host a campaign kick-off event on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at a location still to be determined.

The 17th District includes parts of Delaware County (including the townships of Haverford and Radnor), and Montgomery County (including the townships of East Norriton, Lower Merion, Plymouth, and Upper Merion; and the boroughs of Bridgeport, Conshohocken, Narberth, Norristown, and West Conshohocken).

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