August 3rd, 2009
11:35 AM ET
13 years ago

Sestak expected to announce Specter challenge Tuesday

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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/30/art.sestak.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Joe Sestak is expected to officially declare his candidacy for the Democratic Senate nomination."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - Rep. Joe Sestak is expected to officially declare his candidacy for the Democratic Senate nomination Tuesday, setting up a primary season showdown with incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter, a source close to Sestak confirmed to CNN Monday.

Sestak's campaign said in a Twitter message Monday morning that the Philadelphia-area congressman will be making a "major announcement" Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. The announcement, which will take place at a VFW hall in his district, will be webcast live on his campaign site.

A Quinnipiac poll late last month indicated that Specter, who's received the public backing of President Obama and party leaders since his defection from the Republican Party this spring, had a 55 percent to 23 percent advantage in a hypothetical Democratic primary matchup – though his 20-point edge over prospective GOP challenger Pat Toomey had vanished.
Filed under: Arlen Specter • Joe Sestak • Pennsylvania
soundoff (4 Responses)
  1. Dutch/Bad Newz, VA

    I back Sestak because I think Specter's jump to the democratic party was just so he can remain in office. If Specter is that centrist, what's to say he won't jump back to the republicans in the future. At least with Sestak we know where he stands.

    August 3, 2009 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |
  2. bsmith171

    specter needs to go no matter who takes his place.
    he is an old con man.
    he's over 80 and it's time to retire his skinny white butt.

    August 3, 2009 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |
  3. Ken

    Yes, by all means. Let's get the neo-morons in PA all worked up and happy about a new "leader", one that can continue to bring them their dumber-than-thou culture while beating their chests about gun rights and immigrant hate. Just watch all the witless morons that come out to support this new [R] "savior" in PA. Just pathetic.

    August 3, 2009 02:48 pm at 2:48 pm |
  4. yuri

    Specter has some work cut out for him. He has quite a lot of enemies.
    It will be intriguing to see who will emerge victorious.

    August 3, 2009 02:55 pm at 2:55 pm |
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