Casey to back Specter in Senate race

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/03/28/art.casey.gi.jpg caption="Casey will back Specter in the 2010 Democratic primary."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey said Friday that he would support Sen. Arlen Specter in the 2010 primary, and was hopeful that Democrats would clear the field for the Republican-turned-Democrat.

"Like the President, Vice President, Harry Reid, the DSCC and Ed Rendell, Senator Casey is supporting Specter," Casey's spokesman Larry Smar said Friday in an email to CNN. Smar was referring to President Obama, Vice President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.

Specter already has one opponent in the primary, Joe Torsella, who announced his intention to run for the Senate before Specter switched parties. Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak also has not ruled out a run for the seat.

But Casey said on The Bill Press Show Friday morning that he hopes his party can reach a "consensus" and rally behind Specter to prevent Republicans from winning the race.

"I hope we can achieve some kind of consensus because I think he is the strongest candidate and I believe we've gotta try to make sure we elect a Democrat and don't let dissension or disunity allow a Republican to walk in," Casey said.