Arlen Specter Loses Pennsylvania Democratic Senate Primary to Joe Sestak

AP

Updated May 19, 1 a.m. ET

Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania's longest-serving senator, lost his bid to run for re-election as a Democrat to Rep. Joe Sestak, the Associated Press reports.

With 79 percent of precincts reporting, Sestak received 53 percent of the votes, AP reports; Specter received about 47 percent.

Sestak's victory marks a striking triumph over the establishment candidate, who just last month had a more than 20-point lead in polls.

Joe Sestak: "I Stood Up to My Party"

After serving in the Senate for nearly 30 years as a Republican, Specter switched to the Democratic party in order to salvage his career. He won the support of the Democratic establishment -- including Gov. Ed Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who worked on his behalf to mobilize voters in Philadelphia, a critical part of the state for Specter.

President Obama also supported Specter, but he never joined him on the campaign trail.

While the Democratic establishment worked to elect Specter, Sestak seized on the 80-year-old senator's party switch to portray Specter as self-interested. He ran a bruising political ad that showed Specter with then-President George W. Bush.

Now with Specter out of the picture, the party is switching gears to get behind Sestak. Sen. Robert Menendez, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, released a statement praising Sestak as "a former Naval Officer who has proven he takes a back seat to nobody when it comes to shaking-up Washington and taking on the establishment."

Specter's loss is the latest sign of an anti-incumbent attitude among voters across the country, as also evidenced by the defeat of Republican Sen. Bob Bennett of Utah and Democratic Rep. Alan Mollohan of West Virginia. Early vote counts indicate Specter did not do well enough in Philadelphia, the AP reports, where he was relying on his Democratic allies to help him build up large vote margins.

Sestak now goes on to challenge Republican former congressman Pat Toomey in November for Specter's seat.

Results:

Roundup: All Winners and Losers
Specter Falls in Pa. Dem Primary to Joe Sestak
Rand Paul Wins Kentucky GOP Primary
Blanche Lincoln, Bill Halter Headed for Run-Off
Dem Wins Special Election for Murtha's Seat

Analysis:

The Surprises From Tuesday's Primaries
Specter's Loss Goes Beyond Anti-Incumbent Mood
Where do Tuesday's Winners Go from Here?
Who Had the Better Spin?

[tmittelstaed]

"...As Rev. Wright has come out and said Obama threw him under the bus and won't even talk to him anymore, now he used Specter to get bills passed and now he is threw under the bus...."

And why not? Arlen threw the Republicans under the bus so what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

[fxr60]

Notice how Obama dropped Specter like a hot potatoe? He was near PA but never dropped in to say a word for him. As Rev. Wright has come out and said Obama threw him under the bus and won't even talk to him anymore, now he used Specter to get bills passed and now he is threw under the bus. Obama is a "fair weather friend", if he can't use you and you can't do anything for him-out you go!! Not the kind of man to have in the White House and the people know it and they are voting to get ALL THE BUMS OUT!! Reid, Pelosi, Obama your next!!!!

[Harden_Tar]

Arlen's ego right now is whispering "independent". Unfortunately for him, that is probably not a real good idea since it now appears that EVERYONE doesn't like him.

[stormerF3]

Now if Arkansas can get rid of Blanche Linclon,and the rest of the Incumbants this fall,then some more in 2012 and the final lot in 2014 we can have new politicans who work for us,the Tax Payer,not we for them.

[stn_sage]

Yes! Let's hope that happens! The voting public can make SURE it happens!

[MediaMadness]

Democrat Mark Critz has defeated Republican Tim Burns in a contest to fill out the final few months in the term of the late Rep. John Murtha. Each political party invested nearly $1 million in that contest and said the race to succeed the longtime Democratic lawmaker was something of a bellwether for the fall.

In a statement, DCCC Chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen took a big victory lap:

?Congratulations to Congressman-elect Mark Critz on his extraordinary victory. Voters in this election responded to Mark Critz?s commitment to providing independent leadership that puts Pennsylvania jobs first.

?This was the only race in the country today where a Democrat faced off against a Republican and the results are clear. Mark Critz focused on creating jobs for middle class families, while Republicans practiced the politics of fear and distortion.

?For all of their bluster about building a national wave this year, including RNC Chairman Michael Steele?s guarantee of victory for Tim Burns, Republican policies were once again rejected when it came time to face the voters.

?I am grateful to former President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, and Democratic leaders in the House, Senate, and state governorships for their strong support and tireless work on behalf of Mark Critz.

?With his commitment to creating jobs, ending tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs, and standing up for seniors and middle class Pennsylvanians, Congressman-elect Mark Critz will be a great asset to our Democratic Caucus and a worthy successor to the late Congressman Jack Murtha.?

BACKGROUND
In trying to win a district carried by Senator John McCain in 2008, the NRCC spent nearly $960,000 ? one tenth of their cash on hand ? and 10 shady outside groups chipped in more than $583,000.

[stormerF3]

So in November he will have to run again.

[samthor]

Thank you for all you have done Se. Specter, but it is time for new blood.
and yes mr. right-of-way, there have been job gains since Obama has taken office. Check the Bikini graph.

[MediaMadness]

Critz Beat a Republican For Murtha's Seat.

Sestak Beat Specter.


Lincoln is Forced into a Run Off.

Rand Paul: A Libertarian Posing as a [Tea Party Senator] Beat a Real Republican.

This Year will be a Hodge Podge Of Losses On Both Sides, this will Not be [1994]

Some Republicans are going to be Ousted this year as well.

John [Career Politician] McCain, will Lose to a Democrat.

Americans are Screaming For Term Limits, The Message is Crystal Clear.

[stormerF3]

Tried for term limits once but the Democrats got so scared they carried it to the Supreme Court,under the pretense of the voters would not get to re-elect who they wanted. After that no one was willing to write a bill and force a vote.

[ThomasJeffersonLives]

Freedom costs nothing more than your will to preserve it.

[kastner64]

So, instead of a well-connected liberal guy who can work with both parties, they have an anti-incumbent know-nothing, who can prance around Washington, his subject being how he hates Washington, and in six years he goes home having achieved precisely nothing for PA. Or he becomes one of the voting sheep at least, thus joining the establishment, but of course with nowhere near the clout that Specter had. Incumbent hating voters are nothing but idiots with not thought as to how government works, and certainly no thoughts as to how to make government better.

[stormerF3]

One crook down many to go.

[weewillywonka]

Specter was a Republican through and through - his switch had nothing to do with his personal convictions. Good riddance.

[askagain]

Arlen Specter got exactly what he deserved as a turncoat to the Republican party. Now neither party has any use for him. He is a man without loyalty and democratic party voters decided that they had enough of him. Will he now to run as an independent?

[myopinionpal]

Unless you're on the Supreme Court no 70 or 80 year old should be in Washington making policy for the rest of us they need to be in a retirement home playing checkers and eating jello.