Rep. Joe Sestak claimed victory tonight over Sen. Arlen Specter, saying his primary rival for the Democratic Senate nomination has a “legacy to be proud of.” Sestak (D-PA) defeated the 30-year incumbent with 54 percent of the vote with 87 percent of precincts reporting.
Sestak thanked Specter for his service and said he “has done good things for Pennsylvania.” Specter earlier tonight tweeted that he endorsed Sestak in the general election matchup against Republican Pat Toomey. He said in his victory speech that the election was about voters who “stood up and wanted diverse voices heard.”
“This is what democracy looks like,” said Sestak, a retired Navy admiral who served in the Clinton White House. With his sleeves rolled up, he said it was a victory over the “establishment” and “status quo” in Washington, a pointed reference to the party machine that campaigned hard for Specter up to the last minute tonight. Sestak said he was willing to “stand up” to his own party. President Obama’s robocalls for Specter were still being heard this afternoon.
“I will never forget that it was the people of Pennsylvania that made it happen tonight,” Sestak said as the crowd chanted “Joe! Joe! Joe!” He also held a moment of silence in honor of the country’s armed forces.
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