Edmund R. Leather, in his first try for public office, says the incumbent congressman is not serving Rhode Island.

01:00 AM EDT on Friday, June 9, 2006

BY SCOTT MacKAY
Journal Staff Writer

EAST PROVIDENCE -- With stiletto-sharp criticism of incumbent Rep. Patrick Kennedy, Republican Edmund R. Leather, a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer, launched his candidacy for the U.S. House in the 1st District yesterday.

Leather, 67, of East Providence, said Kennedy -- who just returned from a stint in substance-abuse rehabilitation -- is a "disgrace" who should have resigned his office after the recent pre-dawn auto accident in Washington, D.C., that sent him back to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for his second rehabilitation try since Christmas.

"My opponent is an entrenched incumbent who has just returned to his job after undergoing treatment for substance abuse," said Leather in a speech at Metacomet Country Club. "His problems, which have existed for many years, appear to have become no better with the passage of time.

"He just the other day said he doesn't trust his own instincts," said Leather. "I emphathize with his inability to overcome his addictions, the fact remains that he has dishonored his office on numerous occasions and he is not fit to be in Congress."

Leather said that during Kennedy's latest 28-day recovery stay in Minnesota he was absent for 26 House votes. "The people of Rhode Island are not being represented properly due to his irresponsible actions and failure to resign."

About two dozen people attended Leather's political coming-out party. Patricia Morgan, state Republican chairwoman, spoke on his behalf and several campaign operatives from other GOP campaigns showed up -- including Ian Lang, Sen. Lincoln Chafee's campaign manager -- but there were no top GOP elected officials at the event.

Leather has not started fundraising and joked that he had only about $25 in his campaign chest. Kennedy, who first won the House seat in 1994, is the son of Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, and has about $1.2 million in campaign money.

Without using Kennedy's name, Leather made it clear that he isn't going to mince words in his run against the incumbent, which is the first serious political race Leather has ever run.

Leather's harsh words were a reference to Kennedy's May 4 auto crash outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington. After the accident, Kennedy was driven home by the Capitol Police, which led to cries of favoritism. The congressman acknowledged that he was under the influence of sleeping pills and a prescription stomach-ache drug.

A contrite Kennedy returned to Rhode Island on Monday after completing rehabilitation, speaking at a mental-illness conference at Brown University. He was warmly greeted and has been supported steadfastly by Democratic party leaders.

Kennedy, a self-described pain pill and alcohol abuser for most of his adult life, pledged to work on his recovery via the Alcoholics Anonoymous 12-step program to sobriety.

"The people of Rhode Island deserve more than a congressman who has to have babysitters around him," said Leather. "In spite of that, he is running again. This is a disgrace and a great concern to Rhode Islanders. He should not continue to hide his irresponsible actions behind a family name."

Through a spokeswoman, Kennedy declined to answer Leather's charges yesterday. "The congressman is busy working in Washington on behalf of Rhode Island," said Robin Costello. Costello said Kennedy will emphasize his "accomplishments for Rhode Island" when he starts actively campaigning.

Leather was raised in Narragansett and worked as a teacher in Woonsocket, as a U.S. history professor at the University of Maryland, and had several postings as a foreign service officer in Jamaica, Switzerland, Bermuda, Washington, D.C., and Portugal.

On other issues, Leather said he would work for better education and to balance the federal budget so that Social Security would not be endangered. He called for development of "simpler" and "easier to understand" Medicare drug benefits and pledged to work to improve the image of the United States around the world.

But he criticized Kennedy's stand on immigration issues and said he does not support programs that would allow illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

"Illegal immigration undermines our country," said Leather. "I do not support any programs that propose a route to citizenship for those who have broken our laws."

In a brief interview, Leather said he supports abortion rights, but with restrictions, such as waiting periods. He said he does not believe in gay marriage, but also doesn't believe a same-sex marriage ban ought to be written into the Constitution, as is favored by President Bush.

Leather was introduced by his wife, Esmeria Leather, who said, "Edmund is a hard-working man, a man of substance."

smackay@projo.com / (401) 277-7321

Edmund R. Leather

Party:Republican

Office sought: U.S. House, 1st District

Previous office:none

Age:67

Residence:East Providence

Profession: Retired U.S. foreign service officer

Education:Brown University, B.A.; Rhode Island College, M.Ed. Further graduate studies at Boston University.

Family: Married to Esmeria Leather; two grown daughters and two grown stepchildren.