EXCLUSIVE: Sestak Intends To Run For Senate
Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) is privately telling supporters that he intends to run for Senate, TPMDC has confirmed.
"He intends to get in the race," says Meg Infantino, the Congressman's sister, who works at Sestak for Congress. "In the not too distant future, he will sit down with his wife and daughter to make the final decision."
The move would constitute a primary challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who intends to run for re-election in 2010, after having switched parties earlier this year.
Earlier today, a Sestak volunteer and contributor received a handwritten note from Sestak himself, announcing his intent to run and asking for a contribution. The source provided TPMDC a scan of the letter:
The note says, "I am writing you as especially dear supporters to let you know I intend to run for the U.S. Senate...my candidacy's credibility will have much to do with my fundraising success by the 30 June FEC filing deadline at the end of this quarter. Would you help me bring the change for the future we Pennsylvanians need[?]"
Infantino confirms that the note is genuine and that "Joe Sestak has written a number of similar notes."
We'll provide you with more details as we receive them.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Good. Let me know when and where I can donate.
Sestak '10.
May 27, 2009 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is great. I wonder just what 2x4 Rahm is going to try to hit him with. At the very least--and I hope it's more!--this should scare Arlen into acting like a real Dem for a while. Until Sestak gets pounded with the White House's 2x4.
May 27, 2009 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
It won't only be the WH. I expect Schumer still has some knives left after stabbing Paul hackett in the back!
May 28, 2009 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is excellent news!!! For Arlen Specter!!!
May 27, 2009 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
lol!!!! Love those oldies but goodies!
May 27, 2009 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uphill fight, but not against the Republicans.
Nice scoop, TPM.
May 27, 2009 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Only good can come of this. Now Specter will feel the heat from the left, and Obama can expect him to play ball. If he doesn't, then Obama can refuse to campaign for him in 2012. It's really the perfect pincer movement, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer jackass than Arlen Specter.
Truly excellent news.
May 27, 2009 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup. Win-win. Thanks, Joe! Progressives really owe you one.
May 27, 2009 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just hope that Obama has the cojones to play that game of hardball with Specter.
May 27, 2009 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Specter will feel the heat from the left"..??
Ha hahahahahahhahhaha, ..oh sheesh that was funny.
May 27, 2009 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good news. For PA, and for the Dem Party.
May 27, 2009 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
good news to keep arlen from going all snarlin on us. I hope Joe gets the suppost to have a seriuos run at it!
May 27, 2009 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sestak has a chance. His campaign could draw on the same theme that Milton Shapp successfully used in 1966 and 1970 against Bob Casey Sr. ["The Man Against the Machine."] Bill Scranton's LG, popular moderate Ray Shafer, beat Shapp in the 1966 general. In 1970, Shapp beat Shafer's LG, Raymond Broderick, who went onto a career as a fairly liberal federal judge.
Age will also be a huge factor. Specter was a Philly rookie the same year as Billy Cunningham.
May 27, 2009 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
YES! This is all a win win for us Dems.
May 27, 2009 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
well...he may not be my kind of democrat, but unlike arlen, he IS a democrat.
May 27, 2009 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really Great News for PA Dems.
Sestak has an excellent chance to be the next PA Senator. Many "Moderate" voters already decided that Arlen can't be trusted - and Sestak has an excellent resume - that is even impressing some Repubs.
Thanks Joe - I look forward to volunteering for your campaign.
May 27, 2009 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm. Looks like pretty intelligent handwriting. A combination of artist and engineer.
May 27, 2009 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't forget lawyer??
May 28, 2009 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
No way he wins going up against the entire Dem establishment. But it will keep Specter moving left. Assuming he loses the primary, will he run for his Congressinal seat again or will it be too late?
May 27, 2009 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
His handwriting is very nice! Clear favourite.
May 27, 2009 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm gonna give him some cash. To hell with the "leadership". Arlen needs to be put out to pasture.
I think its about time we ditched Reid, Pelosi and those YellowDog Democrats too.
May 27, 2009 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.sestakforcongress.com/
May 27, 2009 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a Pennsylvanian I'll support Sestak, but I'd rather we had a strong Democrat from western Pa running for the seat. That's the weak spot.
Franco Harris? :-)
May 27, 2009 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Franco's good in the open field and he can also get the tough inside yards. Let's hope he runs Democratic and doesn't disgrace himself like Lynn Swann.
May 27, 2009 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
traitor,
If I'm not mistaken, Franco Harris was a delegate to the Democratic convention, that's why I mentioned him.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_615274.html
"Harris Sr., a staunch Democrat and supporter of President Obama's campaign, served as a Pennsylvania delegate in the Electoral College. He supports his son's run as an independent candidate, but he will not be a member of the campaign fundraising team, Harris Jr. said."
May 27, 2009 8:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm voting for Arlen. No wait a minute... I never said I would be a loyal Arlen supporter. I didn't say that!
May 27, 2009 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Arlen, you need to retire and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Let some new blood in there.
May 27, 2009 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
He may be saying that privately, but he's not saying it publicly He was just on The Ed Show about 5 mins. ago and stated he had to make sure the family was behind him first
May 27, 2009 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it legal for him to request funds for a US Senate Campaign through his Congressional Campaign fund?
If he runs for Senate, he is permitted to transfer the funds to his Senate Campaign, but he shouldn't be allowed to solicit for Senate directly without having a Senate account.
Up until now, he's been raising money under the pretext of a Congressional re-election.
I hope someone at the FEC is looking into this.
May 27, 2009 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have a leadership position in Pa Dem Party. It would be easy to work for Sestak or Harris for that matter, and problematic for me to do the same for Specter.
May 27, 2009 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. A Democrat is running for the Democratic Party nomination for senate? Great! At least someone is representing the slightly-left-leaning faction of the one ruling neoliberal party. With enough votes in the senate, we might even get a 5% discount on health care! (As long as the government gives health care profiteers a %5 bailout/incentive.)
May 27, 2009 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am really thrilled to hear this. We need more young Dems in the Senate that will stand by the party instead of pulling rank like Specter, Lieberman, and Nelson. I hope that Sestak takes it to him!
May 27, 2009 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now all we need is a Progressive to go after Hairball Reid.
May 27, 2009 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good. Sestak's guts in choosing to run says a lot about him given the lay of the land and Obama virtually committed to supporting Arlen "the weasel" in next year's race. I'll contribute.
May 27, 2009 11:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now all we need is a Progressive to go after Hairball Reid.
May 28, 2009 12:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Arlen has to feel lousy that he's in for at least one tough campaign, of the two he'll have to run in '10.
I know it's not in these guy's nature but maybe he'll show some humility and not run. Nah.
May 28, 2009 3:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
YES! YES! YES! Go Joe! In what parallel universe, Flufferwink, does this help Specter? Explain yourself.
Lark
May 28, 2009 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink