Linda Fields Says Montco Dem. Chair Told Her A Black Woman Can’t Win
Last night, Linda Fields confirmed the claims of two members of the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion Narberth (DCLMN), that Joe Foster had told her that he did not think a Black woman could win the 17th District Democratic State Senatorial Primary. Fields was participating as a guest during DCLMN’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting (via Zoom).
Foster is the Chairman of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee (MCDC). He was previsouly the Chair of DCLMN.
Prior to the MCDC Endorsement Meeting (Janaury 30, 2020), Fields was among seven candidates who had stepped forward to challenge Daylin Leach, who was seeking his fourth term representing SD-17.
While no official announcement was made, it became apparent before the Endorsement Meeting, that Foster and nearly everybody else among MCDC Leadership, favored Amanda Cappelletti to be the standard bearer for the Anti-Leach Campaign.
At that time, without even knowing what Foster had supposedly said to Fields, the decision to bypass her in favor of Cappelletti, raised some eyebrows. Cappelletti graduated from Temple Law School in 2017. She quit her job (which she started in March of 2019) at Planned Parenthood, in October of 2019. From October of 2018 until March of 2019 she was a William Penn Fellow at the Department of Human Services (State of Pennsylvania). And prior to that she was a Special Assistant in the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (State of Pennsylvania).
Fields worked 27 years as an organizer and business agent for District 1199C of AFSCME. Her resume states that she has negotiated contracts at Childrens’ Hospital, Jefferson Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
In 2018 Fields ran for the State Senate in the 24th District, and lost by 4.8% to Republican Bob Mensch. Mensch has held that seat since 2009.
The primary focus of last night’s meeting was a presentation on Anti-Racism by Jeri Bond-Whatley and Rod Stanton, both members of the advisory board of the Greater Philadelphia Diversity Collaborative. Fields’ comments came during a discussion that followed the presentation.
Although she did not win the endorsement of MCDC, Cappelletti went to convincingly defeat Leach in the primary.
Joe Foster did not respond to a request for comment.
Disclosure I am a member of DCLMN.
This is not true.I what I did say was I told Joe Foster implied I could not win because I a Black Woman and he said there were questions about my residency. When I heard this I went straight to Joe about it and I also reported to a State Committee Official.
Anyone who knows me know if he had said that to may face I would have demanded that he be removed immediately . Twisting my words is not going to change the fact the fact that there was racial bias in Montgomery County . That I can also prove . The things that happened to me in both elections was biased and unfair and Joe Foster knew what those issues were because I did what I always do ….I spoke me directly to him. That is what I said in the Lower Merion Meeting.. If anyone really wants the truth it was a Zoom Meeting just Pull the tapes and you will see and hear what Linda Fields said. People who are offended the fact they now have to deal with and face their racial bias should not attempt to deflect and twist my words. Racial Bias is a real issue and a point of discussion for the Lower Merion Meeting. I only spoke when someone misrepresented what happened to me and I corrected him. And I stand by what I said. Again, Any one who wishes to know the truth just ask me or even better watch the tape.