Torsella Endorses Specter In Pennsylvania Senate Primary

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When Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) announced that he would switch parties and run for re-election as a Democrat he all but forced Joe Torsella–former Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia–out of the race. Were it not for the likely candidacy of Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), that would have cleared the field for Specter, who would almost certainly have sailed to the Democratic nomination.

But Sestak didn’t go the Torsella route. And so, the Democratic establishment–which immediately lined up behind Specter–has been forced to roll out the endorsements. The latest name on that list? Joe Torsella.

In my campaign I spoke often of the need for new ideas and a new approach in Washington. In the weeks since I ended my candidacy, I have spoken at great length with Senator Specter and watched his work in Washington to advance the President’s agenda for change. I have become convinced that years of service do not preclude the ability to promote change; in fact, under the right circumstances, they enhance it. My conversations have convinced me that Arlen Specter will work hard to do just that on the issues most important to me and families across Pennsylvania.

According to Greg Giroux at Congressional Quarterly, Specter once hired Torsella’s wife to serve as a counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee back when he was a Republican and the Republicans were in the majority.

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