July 13, 2009
Posted: July 13th, 2009 01:56 PM ET

From

(CNN) - Rep. Joe Sestak's re-election campaign reports Monday that the Pennsylvania Democrat raised more than $1 million in this year's second quarter, with around $4.2 million in the bank.

The two-term congressman from Pennsylvania's 7th District has said that he will challenge Sen. Arlen Specter for the Democratic Senate nomination next year. Specter, a long time Republican, switched his party registration to Democrat earlier this year and has the backing of President Barack Obama and party leaders, as he gears up for re-election in 2010.

Sestak is in the middle of a tour of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, and could have an official announcement regarding a Senate bid when that tour is over at the end of the month.

"We believe this means we will have more cash on hand than any Senate challenger. As you know, this was achieved without the institutional support of the Democratic establishment," says Sestak spokesman Joe Langdon.

Specter's campaign has not released their second quarter figures yet. At the end of the first quarter, Specter had more than $6.7 million in the bank.

Earlier Monday Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey said his campaign for the Senate has raked in $1.6 million since he jumped into the race on April 15. Toomey's campaign also announced that they have $1.1 million cash on hand.

Filed under: Arlen Specter • Joe Sestak


Robert Britt   July 13th, 2009 3:15 pm ET

I have always found that Arlen Specter to be an independent mind in Washington. As a Republican, who doesn't support the religious right's agenda, I feel he represents my point of view on most issues. I will continue to support him whatever party he belongs to.

johnnie   July 13th, 2009 2:58 pm ET

joe sestak , is wasting his time, arlen specter will triple what ever he raises, he is supported by the gop,anybody with brains ,knows what is going on. specter wil crush sestak, because specter has support of president obama and the gov. of penn state. the obamacrats will come out in full force to defeat this dreamer. and by the way, he is finished as a democrat,he was told not to do this, and sestak is really a gop plant. pack your bags and clear out your desk sestak.spector is no joke . he will teach you a lesson in politics,dont mess with the presidents endorsements. your going down in defeat sestak, who do you think you are , your a pretender not a contender.

Larry of Boston   July 13th, 2009 2:58 pm ET

Arlen SPecter is a turncoat; he is a mercenary – willing to sell his lifelong Republican views and principles simply to be able to run as a Democrat and hopefully get reelected on the coat tails of Obama. Specter has lost his principles; lost his party; lost his long standing views shaped by decades of Republian service. If this is the best Democrats can offer – a GOP cast off – then we need new Democratic candidates. And Pennsylvania can do much much better than an aging Republican

Kevin from Co   July 13th, 2009 2:53 pm ET

As long as somebody outs that turn coat out of office.

Kelby In Houston, TX   July 13th, 2009 2:47 pm ET

I hope Joe Sestak wins. Arlen Specter is no Democrat. He switched parties to stay in power not because he believes in the Democratic platform. That, in itself, is just wrong. Arlen Specter does not want to push Obama's agenda forward and may hender recovery efforts.

GO JOE SESTAK!

vegage   July 13th, 2009 2:44 pm ET

We need new blood, Specter has been there too long. We also need limit to the terms of the members of congress.

Larry   July 13th, 2009 2:41 pm ET

Give it up Sestak ...

You don't have the support of the people of Pennsylvania either ...

Mississippi Mike   July 13th, 2009 2:37 pm ET

Let's get ready to RUMBLE!!!

In the blue corner we have Joe Sestak, an entrenched liberal who knows how to squeeze money from wealthy folks who expect favors in return. In the red corner, we have Arlen Spector, the incumbent who recently switched parties so he can have a chance of getting re-elected.

The rules are simple: Lie, cheat and steal to win your party's nomination.

The prize: The winner gets to take on Pat Toomey, the strongest challenger but also the one with the weakest war chest.

Ding, ding, ding, let the mud slinging begin!

Anonymous   July 13th, 2009 2:34 pm ET

I met Sestak yesterday and he is a very humble, honest and hard-working politician and I am going to put my full support behind him

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   July 13th, 2009 2:24 pm ET

It's not looking good for Sen. Specter. He may need the President to do a fundraiser for him.

GI Joe   July 13th, 2009 2:17 pm ET

Hmmmm – wonder what he will spend the money on. Taxpayer's needs? Oops – Republican party?

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