A midwestern Republican is throwing his support behind the Democrat in Pennsylvania's US Senate race.

KYW's Ian Bush reports that Chuck Hagel (above left), a former Republican US senator from Nebraska, is backing Joe Sestak (above right) in the race for Arlen Specter's seat.

Hagel hails what he calls Sestak's "courage" and "integrity as a legislator" -- and says that as a congressman Sestak has put what's best for the country ahead of the interests of his party.

He wouldn't comment on the Republican in the race -- Pat Toomey.

For his part, Toomey -- a former Lehigh Valley congressman -- is heading out on a bus tour. He will spend four days on the road, stopping throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania.