By Kathi Cozzone, Chester County Commissioner
Kathi Cozzone
Once again, courageous women have come forward to describe their painful experiences at the hand of a man in power and once again they are re-victimized by his response. After an extensively investigated article in the Philadelphia Inquirer shares the stories of the women who were victims of unwanted advances, State Senator Daylin Leach has chosen to finger point everywhere but at himself.
Senator Leach has missed the point entirely.
Rather than take any responsibility whatsoever, in his official response Senator Leach blames his political rivals and his convenient forgetfulness.
IT DOESN’T MATTER if Senator Leach is a “…humorous guy.”
IT DOESN’T MATTER if Senator Leach doesn’t “…remember one at all, and only one vaguely.”
By choosing to ignore the numerous accounts of harassment, Senator Leach has by all measures called these women liars.
Eight women and three men confirm the behavior. Ms. Montgomery, at great professional risk, agreed to be named. Senate staffers confirmed being informed of inappropriate behavior and said Senator Leach was warned by a party leader to “watch his behavior.”
I once had a great deal of respect and admiration for Senator Leach, but no more. Senator Leach, it’s time for you to step down from the State Senate and end your campaign for Congress.
If you don’t understand why, then you don’t understand harassment.
Kathi Cozzone is a long-serving Chester County Commissioner and a current Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor.
