Lower Merion-Area Dems Call For Leach-Cappelletti Digital Debate

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — A large group of Democrats in Lower Merion, Narberth, and surround Montgomery County areas are calling on officials to bring State Sen. Daylin Leach's challenger Amanda Cappelletti to a digital debate ahead of the June 2 primary election.

Numerous Democrats in Pennsylvania's 17th senatorial district, which covers parts of Montgomery and Delaware counties, are urging Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth (DCLMN) Committee Members, DCLMN Leadership, and Lower Merion and Narberth elected officials to get Cappelletti in an online debate with Leach.

"A few weeks ago, the well-respected, 100-year-old, League of Women Voters and a PBS TV station asked these two candidates for two debates," a letter to local officials reads. "They were to be conducted in a Zoom style because of the stay-at-home orders. This is an important outreach to the voters of the entire 17th district. Senator Leach agreed to debate and Cappelletti refused."

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The letter says voters should be "hearing from both" Leach and Cappelletti.

"This is too important and we hope the leadership of DCLMN will join us in requesting Amanda to debate," the letter reads.

>>>RELATED: Narberth Polling Places Changing Due To Coronavirus<<<

Leach, who has held his seat since 2009, is a vocal progressive on a number of issues, and described himself as a "fierce" supporter of women's rights.

Cappalletti endorsments inlcude Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon and Madeleine Dean, as well as Gov. Tom Wolf.

See the full letter below:

Hello Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth (DCLMN) Committee Members, DCLMN Leadership and Lower Merion and Narberth elected officials:

We trust this email finds you in good health and gearing up for our new primary date of June 2nd. Several months ago, the candidates for the 17th Senatorial District seat spoke before our committee when they were seeking endorsement. Both State Senator Daylin Leach, Amanda Cappelletti and the other candidates spoke before us which we appreciated. We listened respectfully and made our personal decisions.

Now as we know, the race is between Leach and Cappelletti. The endorsement meeting resulted in an OPEN Primary, so in that spirit, we are writing an open letter to all committee members and leadership.

A few weeks ago, the well-respected, 100-year-old, League of Women Voters and a PBS TV station asked these two candidates for two debates. They were to be conducted in a Zoom style because of the stay-at-home orders. This is an important outreach to the voters of the entire 17th district.

Senator Leach agreed to debate and Cappelletti refused.

Campaigns are about issues, plans and experience and we should be hearing from both of them. This is too important and we hope the leadership of DCLMN will join us in requesting Amanda to debate.

Thank you,

Signed by:

Connie Williams, former State Senator, 17th District (2001-2009)

Marcel Groen, former Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair, and former Chair, Montgomery County Democratic Committee

Tim Briggs, State Representative 149th District

Joanne Cisco Olszewski, Montgomery County Jury Commissioner; former Vice Chair, MCDC; Founder, Montco Democratic Warrior Women

Nora Winkelman, former Chair DCLMN, former Deputy General Counsel to Governor Ed Rendell, former Counsel to House Democratic Committee

Ruth Damsker, former Montgomery County Commissioner

Vicki Cox, Area leader, Pottstown Democrats, Montgomery County

Shelly Waldman, Area leader, Whitpain Township, Montgomery County

Lower Merion Board of Commissioners:
Daniel Bernheim, President, Ward 1
Andy Gavrin, Vice President, Ward 6
Joshua Grimes, Ward 2
Michael McKeon, Ward 3
Anthony Stevenson, Ward 4
Anna Durbin, Ward 8
David McComb, Ward 9
Todd Sinai, Ward 12
Rick Churchhill, Ward 14
Cheryl Gelber, former commissioner, Ward 5
Liz Rogan, former commissioner, Ward 7
Jane Dellheim, former Commissoner, Ward 8
George Manos, former Commissioner, Ward 9
Brian Gordon, former Commissioner, Ward 12
Brian McGuire, former Commissioner, Ward 13

David Federman, former Lower Merion School Board Member

DCLMN Committee members: current and former
Gigi Tevlin-Moffat N-2
Deborah Londsdorf N-3
John Munroe N-3
Justin McCarthy 1-2
Lois Deckelbaum LM 1-3
Julie Isaacson LM 1-3
Heidi Cooke LM 2-1
Eleanor Dezzi LM 2-1
Susan Bolno LM 2-3
David Kedson LM 3-1
Julie Meranze Levitt LM 3-1 (former CP)
Mary Walsh LM 4-3
Karen Bleznak LM 4-3
Teri Simon LM 5-1
Miriam Camitta LM 5-1
Mary Posner LM 6-1
Jill Ross Stein LM 6-2, Area Representative, Montgomery County Democratic Committee
Jill Tarnoff LM 6-2
Eva Ray LM 6-3, Area Representative Montgomery County Democratic Committee (MCDC)
Tina Stein LM 6-3
Nina Tchervova-Abdulmalik LM 7-1
Gerry Senker LM 7-1
Sheri Keshishian LM 7-1 (former CP)
JoAnn Erfer LM 7-2 (former CP)
Adrian Seltzer LM 8-2
June Coleman LM 8-2
Carol Shore LM 8-4
Eric Hoffman LM 9-1
Jeffrey Schwartz LM 9-3, Area Representative, Montgomery County Democratic Committee
Sara Witkin LM 9-3
Zak Pyzik LM 10-1
David Broida LM 10-1 (former CP)
Rebecca Hubert Williams (10-1) (former CP)
Douglas Ross LM 10-3
Minney Robb LM 11-1
William Madway LM 11-3 (former CP)
Barbara Schick LM 12-1
Susan Guthrie LM 12-1
Jon Kligerman LM 12-2
Bill Leopold LM12-2, Area Representative Montgomery County Democratic Committee
Robert Paul LM12-3
Bruce Eisenberg LM 12-3
Casey O’Bannon LM 13-2
Phyllis Rubin LM 14-1
Sheryl Chernoff LM 14-1
Alan Tuttle LM 14-3

DCLMN Supporters:
Christine Dixon Anderson
Rhoda Antolino
Abe Haupt, past treasurer, PA Young Democrats
Karin Fox
Lonnie Levin
Jill Katz-Zipin and Howard Zipin