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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Congressional candidate calls for Eachus to be removed
State Rep. Bryan Lentz wants Eachus gone

Yesterday, Congressional candidate and State Representative Bryan Lentz called for House Majority Leader Todd Eachus to be removed from his leadership position. Lentz says he wants a new caucus election because of the ongoing corruption investigation by Attorney General Tom Corbett.

“My experiences as an officer in the 82nd Airborne Division tell me that there are times when an entire chain of command must be relieved in order to restore confidence in an organization,” Lentz said. “That time has come for the House Democratic caucus. A cloud of corruption has hung over our Commonwealth for too long and we must take clear affirmative steps to regain the confidence of the citizens of Pennsylvania."

Lentz's push to remove Eachus is a signal that corruption could be a major issue in the 2010 election.

Lentz, the Democratic front-runner in the 7th Congressional District, appears to be the first member of the caucus to call for Eachus’ ouster. As a state grand jury investigating corruption in the Capital continues to charge and implicate Democratic leaders, it remains to be seen if Eachus will succumb to the fate of former House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese.

If more rank-and-file lawmakers start calling for Eachus to step down, we could see another leadership election in the near future. We'll keep you up to date. In the meantime, check out our special Harrisburg Reform page.

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Posted by Ben Waxman @ 10:13 AM  Permalink | 2 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:57 AM, 12/29/2009
    It sounds fair to remove for cause if there is reason to believe the investigation will bear fruit, will be long and protracted, involves other elements of the leadership, or if there is some precedent for members stepping down while under investigation for serious allegations. But there are only allegations at this time about many members of both parties. Shall they all step down, or only the ones in leadership positions in the legislature? The similar charges are by an AG to both parties, so this is not easily dismissed as a witch hunt of one party by another. It is a housecleaning. What are the rules of conduct? Seems like that is another reform that should be specified.
    — CleanupPhilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:21 PM, 12/29/2009
    fafafooey: who/what are you talking about?
    — benwaxman


2 comments
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