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Dow-Ford says Holden ‘has been a follower, not a leader’

For Sheila Dow-Ford, voting against health care reform was the last straw.

So when Congressman Tim Holden (D-17) became one of only two House Democrats in Pennsylvania to oppose the health care legislation that passed late last year, Dow-Ford, an education policy expert, decided to challenge the incumbent of her own party.

“His evasive, avoidance and cowardly manner on health care … was my determination to run,” Dow-Ford told pa2010.com in an interview this week. “I and many others were deeply disappointed with his lack of leadership and the manner in which he avoided and evaded taking a stance; he defied it on an important issue to play the game of politics. You don’t sacrifice your constituents for political expediency.”

With Dow-Ford in the race, Holden is now facing attacks from both flanks, with state Senator Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill) lined up as the GOP’s top recruit to challenge the longtime congressman. Dow-Ford faces an uphill battle, but she doesn’t seem concerned that her primary challenge could potentially weaken him for a general election and increase the chances of a Republican takeover in the 17th District.

“I think Tim Holden cooked his own goose,” she said. “He got himself in this quandary by constantly playing political games instead of caring about his constituents. … Tim has been a follower, not a leader.”

A Holden aide could not be reached for comment.

Dow-ford, a member of the state board of education and a former counsel to the state’s higher education assistance agency who only recently decided to run, said she hasn’t yet hired a campaign manager, but will have a political team together soon. She downplayed the need for a large campaign war chest in the coming primary.

“My issues and my record speaks for [itself],” she said. “As a leader, I believe people will support me. I’ll show the same leadership that I showed all of my life.”

January 29, 2010 at 6:40 pm

--Peter Panepinto

Tags: Dave Argall, PA-17, Sheila Dow-Ford, Tim Holden

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