This morning, I just received an email from former PA Rep. Joe Sestak, for whom I voted in the Senate election back in 2010. I had been registered as an Independent but changed to Democrat in order to vote for him in the primary rather than Arlen Specter. I don't believe I have received emails from the Sestak campaign since fall 2010, so I was certainly surprised to see one today. When I saw the subject line "Next Step," I thought at first that he might announce a run for governor, considering he has often been discussed as a potential contender. He and Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) are the best known Democrats in a wide open field to challenge the very unpopular incumbent, Tom Corbett.
However, rather than seeking a bid for governor, he appears to be seeking another chance at the Senate seat that he lost to PA's current Tea Party senator Pat Toomey. The 2010 race was close: Toomey only won 51%-49% with a margin of 80,229 votes. The turnout in PA in 2010 was pretty low--a total of roughly 4 million votes between the two main candidates as opposed to over 5.5 million cast this past fall. In a presidential election year like 2016, in which Philadelphia comes out to vote heavily, PA will trend much more strongly Democratic. With a higher turnout, Sestak would have great odds at winning.
Here's the text of the email:
Thank you, once again, for all your support of what we did together while in Congress; you helped me serve the people then, and often afterwards, over the past two years.
Since my earlier service in the U.S. Navy for 31 years, I have always believed that America is exceptional because it has always been driven by a unique alliance between rugged individualism and common purpose, where hard-working people strive for their own achievement, but always with a sense of being part of a greater effort.
But the leadership in America is not exceptional right now, and most damaging to our nation’s purpose is the U.S. Senate’s lack of leadership and lack of accountability as our nation careens from crisis to crisis. Its failure has paralyzed the governing of our nation, even affecting how well state and local leaders can serve the people.
Click here to watch video.
We pay a price for the Senate confronting our challenges only when in crisis, and it is the loss of trust by those it represents. The result is a government of the people that has rarely been held in such low regard by the people, undermining our sense of unity – what we stand for and what we are capable of.
We need to restore that trust, where leaders are American before they are partisan. We need leaders who serve the people – not themselves, not ideology, nor party; leaders who commit themselves to pragmatic leadership for the people.
I want to begin that change, starting right here in Pennsylvania. The Senate needs an independent leader accountable only to “We the People,” not any other interests…a leader accountable for deeds, not intentions.
I ask you to help me make this change by contributing your time and your ideas on our website, “Leadership for a Better America.” But most importantly as we begin, is your donation as one of the “Friends of Joe Sestak,” our exploratory committee for the U.S. Senate. I cannot thank you enough for your support and consideration of your contribution to the change America needs.
And most valued, is that you stay involved with us!
Thank you!
Warmly,
Joe Sestak