Congressman announces Senate bid in Oakland

U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak announced outside Soldier & Sailors Memorial Hall today that he’ll run for one of Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seats, presenting a challenge to incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter in the 2010 Democratic primary.

“If there’s any part in Pennsylvania that’s notable for making opportunity out of adversity, it’s right here,” he said outside the Oakland memorial.

Earlier today, Sestak announced his decision in his hometown of Folsom, Pa., the seventh Congressional district, which he represents.

“I think, most importantly, this is an opportunity to reclaim those core principles of hard work, honesty and accountability to triumph over politics,” Sestak said.

Asked about his opposition candidate, Sestak said the current race is “not about Arlen,” who switched his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in April.

“It’s about the good Pennsylvanians,” he said, adding that one of the differences between him and Specter is that he has not voted with former President George W. Bush. “I went to Washington to oppose the policies of President Bush.”