Daylin’s dilemma: Why Daylin Leach’s political career may be derailed by sexual misconduct charges

Gov. Tom Wolf and others have called for Daylin Leach to step down amidst sexual misconduct allegations — but the Pa. state senator is standing firm.

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Pennsylvania state Sen. Daylin Leach. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP)

Pennsylvania state Sen. Daylin Leach. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP)

Pennsylvania state Sen. Daylin Leach has been dogged by allegations of sexual misconduct for almost a year, causing him to end his bid for Congress. Now, he’s suing one of his alleged victims. Leach’s story raises troubling questions about whether allegations of sexual conduct should be enough to end a politician’s career.  And why is Leach standing firm even as members of his own party call for him to step down? On today’s episode of The Why, senior reporter Dave Davies provides the latest details of Leach’s saga.

For more information, you can read about Cara Taylor’s allegation of a 1991 sexual assault in a criminal complaint she recently drafted and an associated timeline of events. The Lehigh County District Attorney’s office declined to investigate the complaint because the statute of limitations has expired. Leach’s defamation suit against Taylor and two others is available here.

 

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