Lawyer plans write-in campaign for state Legislature

Margaret Gibbons is reporting today in The Times-Herald that Republican lawyer Lynn Lechter is planning a write-in campaign for the 149th House seat being vacated by Rep. Daylin Leach, a Democrat.

Lechter, a 55-year-old lawyer from Upper Merion, needs 300 write-in votes in the April 22 primary election to get her name on the ballot in November, according to Gibbons.

"All voters deserve a choice on Election Day," Lechter told Gibbons. "As it stands today with no Republican on the ballot in the 149th District, voters will be left with no choice for state representative in the general election. Voters deserve better."

Upper Merion businessman Mike Fiore had filed nominating petitions in Harrisburg to run as the GOP candidate for that seat on the last day of the extended candidate filing period in February, Gibbons says, but he subsequently withdrew from the contest but it was too late for another candidate to replace him on the ballot.

Upper Merion Democrat Tim Briggs, a lawyer who worked as campaign manager and campaign treasurer for numerous other Democrats including Joseph M. Hoeffel III, is running uncontested in his party's primary election, Gibbons says.

Leach is giving up the House seat to run for the 17th Senate District seat now held by Connie Williams, who is not seeking reelection. Leach's GOP opponent will be either Lance Rogers or Lisa Paolino, who are competing in the April 22 primary.

Ironically, Lechter lost to Connie Williams in 2000 when Williams won the 149th House seat.

The 149th District includes Upper Merion, Bridgeport, West Conshohocken and a part of Lower Merion.