LEON KING: He Appreciates Solid Support

LEON KING … former Prisons Commissioner now wants to be a judge.

Leon A. King II, well known for having been an innovative Commissioner of the Philadelphia Prison System, believes his third-time run for the position of Judge in the Court of Common Pleas will prove to be the winning effort.

Though he’s not gotten a lucky top-of-the-rung ballot position, he believes there are enough people he has helped for the better that will remember him this time around.

What King has going for him  is  he among the six candidates in the huge field endorsed by the Democratic City Committee. That means a great deal this time, since every segment of the Democratic leadership is committed to bringing the “endorsed ticket” to complete victory.

King just turned 50 on Apr. 8, but shows all the energy of a teenager. He’s not missed a beat in covering every meeting of ward leaders, committee people, community groups, and civic associations, especially since many of them are upset over the attempt by the mayor to make AVI a reality.

His forte is his ability to listen and he does that well, which is the key ingredient to becoming the kind of judge sorely needed today.

Wherever he has gone, he’s been acknowledged to be one of the judges backed by the Democratic Party. “It’s a nice feeling,” he says, “and it gives me a sense of being on an even campaign field. I am grateful  to the efforts of those leaders within the party who were able to coalesce the endorsement for me.”

Last week the Liberty City Democrat Club added him to their list of endorsed candidates.  He has the support of District Attorney Seth Williams, State Sen. Anthony Williams and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.

Overall, King feels “A strong united effort for the six endorsed candidates for Common Pleas Court will break through the top ballot positions held by independents.”

Also an asset is the fact King never turned sour or expressed disappointment at the failed promises of support in his last two times in the Court arena. Many mention, “He’s never lost his sense of humor, nor every told anyone off. He’s kept them friends.”

He is the only candidate who has been involved with communities across the city, ranging from active crime fighters, prison reform advocates, and ex-offenders for the “last ten years.” He has proponents from those groups, people with  Philadelphia house hold names such  as C.B. Kimmins, Kevin Horne and Malik Aziz. He’s identified with scores of community efforts.

They also understand his commitment to insure “equal treatment before the bar for all defendants, whether represented by top lawyers or public defenders.

“That’s my plus,” King says. “With the support of the Democratic Party and many of these city’s activists, I feel this is my time to win a judicial primary.”

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