‘We have reached a crisis point:’ Montgomery County Democrats call on Sen. Daylin Leach, who’s fighting sexual assault allegations, to resign

Arguing that he’s broken trust, undermined the integrity of his office, and split the party in the 15 months since sexual harassment and abuse allegations were first raised against him, Democratic Party leaders in Montgomery County have called on embattled Sen. Daylin Leach to resign.

“Over the past fifteen months your reactions and behaviors to your set of circumstances has created a divisiveness that threatens Party harmony and undermines our cause at a time when we need to be united,” a March 14 letter, signed by 38 people, including state and county party officials, row officers and U.S. Rep. Madeleine, Dean, D-4th District, reads.

“Without exaggeration Party members have described your lashing out, lack of judgment, and tone-deafness as examples of behavior not becoming a state senator and leader of our Party,” it continued.

The letter credits Leach, of Wayne, for being “a champion for liberal causes for twenty years and stood for far reaching progressive ideals at a time when very few would. No one could or should deny that.”

Still, “We regret that we find ourselves in an untenable situation; we have reached a crisis point. As to the accusations, that is for others to decide,” the officials wrote.

Two notable Montgomery County Democrats — state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, and state Treasurer Joe Torsella — are missing from the letter.

The development was first reported by Ricky Sayer, a Syracuse University student journalist. The Capital-Star obtained a copy of the party leaders’ letter, as well as a response from Leach.

NEW: The leadership of the Montgomery County Democratic Party now calls for State Senator Daylin Leach to resign. This comes more than a year after he was accused of sexual misconduct. An email to Leach says his reaction has "created a divisiveness that threatens Party harmony." pic.twitter.com/jrcIywAig9

— Ricky ''Reports'' Sayer (@RickyReports) March 16, 2019

In Fall 2017, Leach was accused of inappropriate touching and sexual talk by former staffers in a story in the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Since then, another woman has come forward accusing Leach of rape when he was in private practice in the 1990’s and she was still a teenager.

Leach has denied all accusations, and is suing three women for defamation related to the rape accusation.

Nonetheless, state Senate Democrats have launched an internal investigation into accusations from Cara Taylor, 44, who accused Leach of coercing her into to performing oral sex on him in 1991. Leach stepped down from his position as ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee after news of the investigation was reported by PennLive.

Senate Democratic leaders said this week that their internal probe won’t be affected by Leach’s ongoing court fight.

In a response letter, obtained by the Capital-Star, Leach portrayed himself as a progressive champion and “happy warrior” beset by false accusations who was being denied his due process rights.

“I have made it clear publicly and repeatedly, as well as to [Montgomery County Democratic Chairman] Joe Foster personally, that I will not resign, under any circumstances.”

Read the full letter from Montgomery County Democrats below:

Letter from Montgomery Coun… by on Scribd

Read Leach’s response letter below:

Daylin Leach response letter. by jmicek on Scribd