Sestak's Senate candidacy is not official yet

U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak told reporters in a conference call yesterday that he would run for the Senate. But he said he would defer an official announcement for a month or more.

The two-term congressman from Delaware County said he did not initiate his run against incumbent, and newly minted Democratic, Arlen Specter.

Rather, he said, he was approached in April by Sen. Robert Menendez (D, N.J.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Sestak said he was not interested at first.

But he said he became convinced that he could offer constituents "a choice other than Arlen."

"It should be someone who believes in Democratic principles from the beginning," Sestak told reporters. Specter, a 28-year incumbent, left the Republican Party for the Democrats this spring.

Though Sestak called the briefing ostensibly to report on a three-week Pennsylvania swing in which he covered all 67 counties, questions turned to why he has been slow to file for his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission.

In April, he hinted at a run for the Senate. In May, he was leaning toward running. In June, he started looking for staff. This month, online reports said Sestak was running, but an aide said the declaration was premature.

Sestak said he would file the papers in a month or so, when it suited him politically and personally. His candidacy does not become official until the papers are filed.

"I wanted to make sure I got to all 67 counties first," Sestak said, comparing the tour of the state to the way Navy commanders introduce themselves to the captains of ships they will oversee. Sestak is a retired Navy vice admiral.

He said he was encouraged to run by talks on the tour with party leaders and voters on issues such as jobs, the economy and health care.

Asked yesterday if he was giving the public an impression of "false starts" by moving slowly on his candidacy, Sestak said he would move when ready.

He said he would not seek a third term in the House. State election law would prohibit Sestak from seeking a third term as Seventh District representative while running for the Senate, aide Joe Langdon said.

"Arlen can run for my seat if he likes," Sestak said, "but I don't think he wants it."

Sestak said he plans more statewide touring in August and September.

"I intend to get back to everywhere," Sestak said. "I really enjoyed what I just did. If you can't be in the Navy, politics is the next best job - you get to learn so much."

Asked why the Senate seat trumped the House job, Sestak referred to an episode in his personal life.

Four years ago, his daughter, Alexandra, then 4, was found to have a brain tumor. Because Sestak had access to excellent health care, she was treated, and now attends school while in remission.

Part of his motivation to run for Congress was to pay back America for helping his daughter pull through, he said. Sestak was elected to the House in November 2006 and reelected last fall.

He has paid back that debt, he said, and is now free to move on and seek the Senate seat, but not before spending time this summer with his daughter and the rest of his family.

"It's going to be when she and I have had our time together, and then I'll get in," Sestak said.