Joe Sestak

Joe Sestak
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 7th district
In office
January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by Curt Weldon
Succeeded by Pat Meehan
Personal details
Born Joseph Ambrose Sestak, Jr.
(1951-12-12) December 12, 1951
Secane, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Susan Clark
Children Alexandra
Alma mater United States Naval Academy
Harvard University
Religion Roman Catholicism
Website Campaign website
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Navy
Years of service 1974–2005
Rank Vice Admiral
(Retired as a Rear Admiral)
Commands Director of Navy Operations Group
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (2)
Meritorious Service Medal (2)
Joint Service Commendation Medal

Joseph Ambrose "Joe" Sestak, Jr. (born December 12, 1951) is an American politician and retired U.S. Navy officer. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 and was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate in 2010, losing to Republican nominee Pat Toomey. A two-star admiral, he remains the highest-ranking military official ever elected to the United States Congress.[1]

Graduating near the top of his class at the United States Naval Academy, Sestak served in the United States Navy for over 30 years and rose to the rank of three-star admiral. He served as the Director for Defense on the National Security Council staff under President Bill Clinton and held a series of operational commands, including commanding the USS George Washington carrier strike group during combat operations in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean in 2002.

Sestak was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 and reelected in 2008. He declined to run for reelection in 2010, instead running for the Senate. In the Democratic primary he defeated incumbent Senator Arlen Specter (who had recently switched from the Republican Party), 54 percent to 46 percent. In the general election, he was defeated by Republican nominee Pat Toomey, 51 percent to 49 percent, a margin of 80,229 votes out of almost four million cast. Sestak sought a rematch with Toomey in the 2016 election but lost the Democratic primary to Katie McGinty.

Early life, education and early career

Sestak was born in Secane, Pennsylvania, the son of Kathleen L. and Joseph Sestak, Sr.[2] His grandfather, Martin, came to America from the Slovak village of Dolné Lovčice in 1922, after World War I, while his father was sent to America in 1924 to join Martin. Sestak's father graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1942, and then fought in both the Atlantic and the Pacific during World War II, rising to the rank of captain.[3] He continued his service after the war as an engineering officer at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.[4]

Sestak attended Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania, where his mother worked as a math teacher. Sestak was deeply inspired by his father. He has recalled the time Joseph Sr. spent five hours fixing the family car in the freezing cold of a Philadelphia winter:

"I remember going to the window and watching him. And the admiration that I had—just that strong determination of his. Never give in."[5]

Following in his father's footsteps, Sestak was accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy immediately after graduating from high school, during the Vietnam War. In 1974, Sestak graduated second in his class of over 900 midshipmen, with a Bachelor of Science degree in American political systems.[6] Between tours at sea, Sestak earned a Master of Public Administration and a Ph.D. in political economy and government from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1980 and 1984, respectively.[7]

Naval career

Sestak commanded the USS Samuel B. Roberts to victory in the Battenberg Cup.

As a surface warfare officer, Sestak served division officer tours as damage control assistant, combat information center officer and weapons officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Richard E. Byrd, and later as weapons officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Hoel. He then served as aide and flag lieutenant to the admiral in charge of United States Navy surface forces in the Pacific.

In January 1986, Sestak became executive officer of the guided missile frigate USS Underwood and was instrumental in the Underwood's winning the coveted battle E and the Battenberg Cup (awarded to the best ship in the Atlantic fleet). He then served in the Politico-Military Assessment Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On August 30, 1991, Sestak took command of the guided missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts, which was named the Atlantic Fleet's best surface combatant in the 1993 Battenberg Cup competition.

In July 1993, Sestak became the head of the Strategy and Concepts Branch in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. From November 1994 to March 1997, he was the Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council staff at the White House, where he was responsible for national security and defense strategy, policies, programs, inter-agency and congressional coordination and regional political-military advice. In May 1997, he became the commander of Destroyer Squadron 14.[6]

Sestak then directed the CNO's Strategy and Policy Division (N51), and led the navy's efforts toward the 2000 Quadrennial Defense Review, for which he analyzed the economic value of U.S. defense spending. After September 11th, he became the first director of the Navy Operations Group (Deep Blue), which sought to redefine strategic, operational and budgetary policies in the Global War on Terrorism. He reported directly to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Vern Clark, as policy adviser and administrator. Under Clark, Sestak worked to rein in military spending by maximizing fleet efficiency.[3]

Controversy over reassignment

Sestak as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs.

In the summer of 2005, Sestak was administratively removed from his position as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs (N6/N7), the three-star position in which he had served since 2004.[8] His removal was one of the first changes made by Admiral Michael Mullen when he took over as the new Chief of Naval Operations in July 2005, according to Navy Times.

Sestak was reassigned as a special assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and then opted to retire when his three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with malignant brain cancer.[9] Controversy ensued over his departure: it was reported that he was pushed out because he "ruffled feathers" within the Bush Administration and came into conflict with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld over Sestak's advocacy for spending cuts.[4] In an investigative report by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chief of Naval Operations Vern Clark stated that he

"wanted straight talk, and this put [Sestak] in the crosshairs. People are going to say what they want to say, but he challenged people who did not want to be challenged. The guy is courageous, a patriot’s patriot."[10]

After Sestak retired from the Navy, his daughter made a recovery. He retired as a two-star admiral, not having held the rank of three-star admiral long enough to retain it in retirement.[4]

Military decorations

Sestak's decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals and the Navy Achievement Medal.[11]

U.S. House of Representatives

2006 election

Sestak and Senator Chris Dodd at a children's issues talk in August 2006

Sestak was the second Democrat to win in Pennsylvania's traditionally Republican 7th congressional district since the Civil War. The race was in the national spotlight, as it was profiled in Time magazine as the harbinger of the national political climate of the 2006 elections and the most-watched swing district in the country.[12]

In 2006, with his daughter's recovery going smoothly, Sestak was motivated to run for Congress by the benefits he received under the United States Military's TRICARE health care program, which gave his daughter the care she needed to treat her brain tumor. Sestak stated that, during his travels to find the best treatment for his daughter, he saw children who didn't have the same quality of care, or couldn't afford the necessary care. Sestak made health-care reform a pillar of his campaign in hopes of giving everyone the same care his family had. He called his congressional service a continuation of his military service, "paying back" the country that took care of his daughter.

Sestak began laying the groundwork for a Congressional run in his home district in Pennsylvania as a Democrat. He was then told he had to first receive the endorsement of the "DCCC." Sestak first thought this meant his hometown's Delaware County Community College, but he was eventually steered toward the correct DCCC, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and informed its head, Rahm Emanuel, of his candidacy.[13] Emanuel told Sestak he was not ready for the election. Pennsylvania's 7th district is heavily conservative, Republicans outnumbering Democrats 2:1. Sestak decided to run anyway and turned to his brother, Richard, and sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret, who served as his campaign manager, top fundraiser and treasurer, respectively.[14] Sestak challenged ten-term Republican incumbent Curt Weldon in the race, and proved a capable fundraiser. In the second quarter of 2006, he raised $704,000 to Weldon's $692,000; in the third, $1.14 million to $912,000. As of September 30, 2006, Sestak had $1.53 million cash on hand, while Weldon had $1.12 million in the bank after making a $500,000 TV ad buy that had not started as of the close of the third quarter.[15] Sestak received campaign donations from people around the world, including performer Jimmy Buffett, John Grisham, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and many Naval officers.

A poll released in late September 2006 showed Sestak and Weldon locked in a statistical dead heat. Sestak led Weldon 44-43 among likely voters in a Franklin & Marshall College Keystone Poll released September 29. The poll also found that 49 percent of registered voters in the district felt it was time for change in the district and only 37 percent said Weldon deserved reelection.[16] The numbers suggested Sestak had seriously eroded Weldon's previous lead; a poll conducted in April 2006 by the pro-Democratic Party organization Democracy Corps had Weldon leading 51 percent to 41 percent. On October 6, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report moved the race from "Lean Republican" to "Toss Up." An October 8–10 survey by nonpartisan pollster Constituent Dynamics put Sestak ahead 51–44.[17] On October 13, CQPolitics moved the race from "Leans Republican" to "No Clear Favorite."[18] The race remained a dead heat until late October, when FBI special agents raided the homes of Weldon's daughter and a close friend in connection with a federal corruption probe[19] (though as of 2009 neither Weldon nor his daughter had been charged with a crime).[20] Sestak won by 13 points.

2008 election

Sestak at a campaign event in October 2008

In 2008, Sestak faced Republican nominee Wendell Craig Williams, a U.S. Marine and attorney. Sestak defeated him by a 20-point margin (59.6 percent to 40.4 percent), a full 8 points more than his 2006 margin, considered by many a landslide victory.[21] He did not purchase any advertisements, and his largest expense was lawn signs. Sestak became the second Democrat in the district's history to be reelected.

Legislation and key votes

Sestak wrote various pieces of bipartisan legislation that successfully passed Congress. In 2008, the National Journal identified him as "at the ideological center of the House."[22] House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer named Sestak the most productive freshman member of Congress in 2007.[23] In the 111th United States Congress, Sestak's last term in office, Congress passed more bills written by Sestak than bills written by both of Pennsylvania's senators combined.

Most significantly, Sestak created the House Pediatric Cancer Caucus, which he co-chaired; extended benefits for those seeking work (COBRA) as a part of the JOBS bill; co-wrote the amendment to give small businesses tax credits, as a part of health care reform,[24] and moved the first significant federals funds into autism care and research, nicknamed the "Sestak Amendment."[25]

As Congress's senior veteran, he was an original cosponsor of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell as well as the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. Sestak also heavily advocated ending bailouts to banks in the Wall Street Reform Bill.[25] Sestak voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, but lamented that it did not provide enough accountability measures.[26] He also voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009,[27] the American Clean Energy and Security Act,[28] and the Affordable Health Care for America Act.[29]

Some of his legislation that generated attention but eventually failed included researching potential adoption and expansion of thorium-based nuclear power,[30] and the first legislation to restrict the effects of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.[31]

Social media

In 2007, Sestak's campaign was the first federal campaign to create a Facebook Fan Page.[32] Sestak joined Twitter shortly before he was sworn in for his second term. His congressional account made him the first congressperson on Twitter to use it for an official basis.[33] After leaving office, his social networks were merged with his personal accounts, which have been verified.[34][35]

Sestak is said to have been a prime example of the Colbert Bump.[36] After appearing on "The Colbert Report" in 2008, Sestak spoke of the positive impact of social media and viral video clips of the appearance. He appeared on the show even after Democratic leaders Rahm Emanuel and Nancy Pelosi instructed Democrats not to.[37] After his first appearance,[38] Sestak won his election in a landslide in a Republican majority district, and after appearing again in 2009[39] as a part of his announcement to run against incumbent Senator Arlen Specter in the 2010 Democratic primary, Sestak won by a surprising eight points. Sestak did not appear on the show during the 2010 general election, which he narrowly lost. The day after the loss, host Stephen Colbert lamented the loss and called Sestak a "friend" on air.[40]

Congressional staff

Sestak and his staff were recognized for their successful tenure and he was voted "The Most Productive Member of Congress."[41]

Sestak expressed pride in the constituent services his office provided, handling over 10,000 cases since he was elected. "Every person who has worked for me has been tremendous," he said. His staff serviced four times the constituent cases than that of the average Congressional office, while hosting an average of 15 large summit gatherings in his district each year on key issues.[42]

Some critics were quick to cite Sestak's handling of his Congressional staff as evidence to solidify "the perception that he is a taskmaster with a prickly streak." During his first term in office, Sestak employed 61 people as staff in his official congressional office, while comparable representatives employed a total of 28, 26, and 25 staff members, indicating that Sestak had a high turnover rate. A former aide added that Sestak's staff turnover was not as much of a drawback as one might expect. "Other Members rely on their staff to keep themselves informed, but with him, it's top-down," the former aide said. "He knows what he wants to accomplish, so in a sense, he just needs people to dictate to." Sestak acknowledged that his aides spend long hours on duty and that the work is "pretty demanding." He added that the staff was becoming stabler over time.[42]

2008 presidential election

Sestak endorsed Hillary Clinton for president in the 2008 Democratic primaries and served as her campaign national security adviser, specializing in veterans.[43] He told Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report that he trusted her leadership after serving with her in the White House.[44] In addition to being Clinton's foreign policy adviser, Sestak served as her superdelegate and a was a surrogate throughout the primary, appearing in several rallies and TV appearances for her, including an ad emphasizing Clinton's foreign policy strengths.[45]

Sestak endorsed Barack Obama in the general election after Obama received the Democratic nomination.[46]

Committee assignments

2010 U.S. Senate election

Primary election

Sestak speaking at an "Employee Free Choice Act Rally" at the Pennsylvania State Democratic Convention in Pittsburgh in June 2009.

Whispers of a possible U.S. Senate campaign appeared in 2008 after his landslide victory and $3 million campaign surplus after his reelection. Even before Arlen Specter's announcement to switch parties, draft efforts were organized. However, once Specter switched, nationwide support mounted for a possible senatorial campaign. Most prominent was a straw poll conducted by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee titled "Should a Draft Sestak movement be created to take on Sen. Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary?" Nationwide, almost 8000 votes were cast with 86 percent responding yes, including 85 percent of Pennsylvanians.[47]

Sestak faced significant opposition to his candidacy from President Obama, the national Democratic Party and the state party. Then-Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell appeared on national television and said, "Joe Sestak should not run for the Senate in the Democratic primary."[48] Sestak responded, "there’s no more kings, there’s no more kingmakers in America,"[49] and proceeded to visit all 67 counties of Pennsylvania.

On May 27, 2009, Sestak indicated that he intended to challenge Specter in the 2010 Democratic primary (pending a final family decision because he hadn't "had the time to sit down with my eight-year-old daughter or my wife to make sure that we are all ready to get in").[50] In June, he was overheard saying "[i]t would take an act of God for me to not get in now".[51] In a Quinnipiac University Polling Institute poll conducted May 20–26, Specter led the Democratic primary with 50 percent, with Sestak at 21 percent and 27 percent undecided. Despite the gap, it was noted that Sestak did not have much statewide recognition at the time, as he represented only one of Pennsylvania's 19 congressional districts.[52]

On August 4, Sestak officially announced his candidacy.[53] His brother, Richard, was his campaign manager.[54] In discussing Specter's switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, Sestak has said that the switch was "100 percent" motivated by politics.[55]

At a little after 10 p.m., on May 18, 2010, the Associated Press called the primary for Sestak.[56]

Democratic opposition

Throughout the primary election, the Obama administration and the Democratic Party campaigned heavily against Sestak, as the President, Vice President, and numerous cabinet members and Senators hosted many fundraisers and events for Specter. On September 19, 2009, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid even shut down the entire United States Senate, as he, the President, and many Senators instead flew to Philadelphia to host a prominent fundraiser for Specter.[57] The event drew controversy for closing federal business and because the money raised during the event would be given to Republicans and conservative PACs that asked for refunds of contributions given before Specter's party switch.[58] Obama's presidential campaign, called "Organizing for America" during the off years, also led efforts against Sestak.[59]

Job offer to Sestak

In a February 2010 interview, Sestak responded affirmatively when asked if the Obama administration had offered him a high-level White House job if he would end his candidacy for the Senate. Sestak stated that he had quickly refused the offer.[60] When asked to give the specifics of the offer on Midweek Politics with David Pakman, he refused.[55][61][62] He continued to offer no further details until the Obama administration released White House Counsel Robert F. Bauer's official report on the incident on May 28,[63] clarifying that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel enlisted former President Bill Clinton to approach Sestak about potential, uncompensated executive branch positions on senior advisory boards and stating Bauer's official opinion that nothing inappropriate, illegal or unethical had taken place.[64] The official report also stated that Clinton had made the offer on behalf of the Obama administration. After the report's release, Sestak issued a statement essentially confirming it.[65]

Republican Congressman Darrell Issa alleged that such an offer and Sestak's failure to report it could be felonies.[66] Partisan legal analysts have disagreed.[67]

General election

Many cited the Pennsylvania Senate general election as the "marquee race of 2010," a bellwether of the national stage. After securing the Democratic Party's nomination, calling it "a win for the people, over the establishment, over the status quo, even over Washington, DC," Sestak enjoyed a slight lead in the polls against the Republican Party's candidate, former Congressman and Club for Growth President Pat Toomey. But while Sestak tried to recoup his financial losses after a long primary, Toomey had not faced a competitive primary and aired TV ads much earlier than Sestak. Toomey's effective fundraising and advertising allowed him to rise in the polls, at one point gaining a double-digit lead, causing political pundits to move the race from "Toss Up" to "Lean Republican."[68] Many stopped short of calling the race "Solid Republican" as Sestak had a reputation for campaigning until he "sees the whites of their eyes" and 11th-hour comebacks.[69]

Sestak began airing ads in mid-fall and overcame his deficit in opinion polls, closing to within the margin of error. At the beginning of election night, Sestak led in the exit polls by a large margin, but as more votes were counted and central Pennsylvania's "red T" area began reporting, Toomey caught up. Counting continued until early morning, as the numbers were too close for a winner to be declared. As the percentages stabilized, it became clear Toomey was the winner. Sestak conceded the race to a ballroom full of his supporters at the Radnor Hotel. He lost by 80,000 votes out of four million cast, a margin large enough to avoid a recount. It was the smallest losing margin of any Pennsylvania Democratic candidate in 2010.[70][71]

The total spent on the race was $20 million, the most of any federal election in 2010. After Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was decided, conservative Political Action Committees and corporations broke the record for outside spending, airing ads on Toomey's behalf and causing Sestak to be outspent 3 to 1.[72] Sestak responded to this outside spending at Philadelphia Constitution Hall, arguing, "It is we, the people. Not we, the corporations, nor we, Wall Street."[73]

2016 U.S. Senate election

After his defeat, Sestak served as a Distinguished Practice Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College.[74] In May 2013 he was named the 2013-14 recipient of the General Omar N. Bradley Chair in Strategic Leadership,[75] a joint initiative among the United States Army War College, Dickinson College and the Pennsylvania State University – Dickinson School of Law. Previous recipients of the Bradley Chair include former Assistant Secretary of State Philip J. Crowley and retired Major General John D. Altenburg.

This issue is, who has your back? [Toomey's] approach is, 'You're on your own.' Mine is to advance individual opportunity.

 — Sestak on why he was running again.[76]

The same month, Sestak launched an exploratory committee for a rematch with Toomey. He did not officially declare his candidacy as that would contravene the rules of his new appointment.[77] In September 2014, as he campaigned with 2014 gubernatorial nominee Tom Wolf, he said that he would make an official announcement soon.[76] In November 2014, he sent out an email confirming that he would run and officially launched his campaign in March 2015 by walking 422 miles across Pennsylvania from the New Jersey to the Ohio borders.[78][79]

If Sestak had been nominated to run against Toomey in 2016 it would have been the first rematch for a United States Senate seat in Pennsylvania history.[80][81] But he faced considerable opposition from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, starting in early 2015 after he refused to hire a party-approved campaign manager. The national Democrats encouraged six candidates to challenge Sestak in the primary, with Katie McGinty the establishment's preferred nominee, and spent millions in support of McGinty's primary campaign.[82][83] Sestak's initial lead in polls dwindled and McGinty won the April 26 Democratic primary.[84] In the most expensive election for a U.S. Senate seat ever, McGinty narrowly lost to Toomey.[85]

Political positions

Abortion

Sestak is pro-choice, holding a 100 percent rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and a 0 percent rating from the National Right to Life Committee.[86][87] NARAL endorsed Sestak over Specter in the 2010 Democratic primary because of Sestak's opposition to a ban on partial-birth abortion.[88] In 2009, Sestak's invitation to speak to students at the Catholic Malvern Preparatory School was rescinded after parents and alumni objected.[89] The cancellation was protested by many Malvern Seniors who staged a class walkout on the day of the scheduled talk.

Economy

Sestak supports requiring Congress to offset the cost of all new spending. He also supports expanding middle-class tax cuts and letting the Bush tax cuts expire. He voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Stimulus) and the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008.[90]

Education

Sestak voted for the Improving Head Start Act and the College Cost Reduction and Access Act.

Environment

Sestak voted for the Waxman Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act (Cap and Trade) program.[91] He has a 96 percent lifetime rating from League of Conservation Voters and a 100 percent rating from PennEnvironment. Sestak was endorsed by the Sierra Club in his 2006 and 2008 Congressional election campaigns. He voted for the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 and the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security and Consumer Protection Act, and was an original cosponsor of the Climate Stewardship Act (H.R. 620) and the Safe Climate Act.[92]

Gun rights

Sestak supports gun control and has a 100 percent rating from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence[93] and an F rating from the National Rifle Association.[94]

Sestak has called for reinstatement of the federal ban on assault weapons.[95]

Healthcare

Sestak credits his support for health care reform as "payback" to the country that gave him and his family health care while he was in the Navy (the TRICARE program), especially for successfully treating his daughter's brain tumor.[96] He supports state-provided preventive care and voted for the CHAMP Act. Sestak originally co-sponsored the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiations Act, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act and co-sponsored H.R. 3800, which establishes a public-private Partnership for Health Care Improvement. He also announced the Pediatric Cancer Caucus, which he will co-chair.[97] He is also a member of the Autism Caucus, Diabetes Caucus,[98] 21st Century Health Care Caucus, Congressional Mental Health Caucus, Nursing Caucus, and Cystic Fibrosis Caucus.[99]

Iran Nuclear Deal

Sestak cosigned, with 35 other retired admirals and generals, a letter endorsing the proposed 2015 Iran nuclear deal.[100]

Unions

Sestak is an original cosponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act and supports the original version that includes card check. He created the Labor Advisory Committee to address the challenges facing working families in his district.[101]

Medical marijuana

Sestak voted to allow states to regulate medical marijuana by voting for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008, which would have barred the Department of Justice from preventing the implementation of state laws regarding the distribution, possession, and cultivation of medical marijuana. The bill was defeated 165–262.[102]

Military

As a candidate, Sestak campaigned to end the war in Iraq. Once in office in 2007, he supported Congressional efforts to redeploy forces but also voted for the war supplemental the House constructed after President Bush's veto, a bill many critics of the Bush administration called a "blank check" for the continuation of administration policies in the Middle East.[103] In response, Sestak and other veterans argued that they should not punish soldiers for the President's actions, and supported the bill in order to give the armed forces adequate protection and equipment.[104]

Sestak supported the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, which critics contended continued the Bush administration's policy of warrantless wiretapping and provided retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies who participated in the National Security Agency's "terrorist surveillance program."[105]

Sestak supported the deployment of additional troops to Afghanistan in late 2009, and military actions such as drone strikes in northwest Pakistan. He supports the gradual drawdown of troops from Iraq.[106]

Sestak was an opponent of "don't ask, don't tell", the policy that excludes gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the military, saying that the policy means "[w]e're absolutely not adhering to the ideals of our nation".[107] Sestak was instrumental in bringing to light a two-year pattern of abuse, including anti-gay hazing, that took place within a Military Working Dog unit stationed in Bahrain, sparking an investigation that turned up nearly 100 instances of abuse.[108]

Electoral history

2006 U.S. House election, 7th district of Pennsylvania
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Joe Sestak 147,347 56.4 N/A
Republican Curt Weldon (incumbent) 114,056 43.6 -15.2
Majority 33,291 12.8
Turnout 261,403
Democratic gain from Republican Swing
2008 U.S. House election, 7th district of Pennsylvania
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Joe Sestak (incumbent) 209,955[109] 59.6 +3.2
Republican Wendell Craig Williams 142,362 40.4 N/A
Majority 67,593 19.2 +6.5
Turnout 352,317
Democratic hold Swing
2010 United States Senate Democratic primary in Pennsylvania[110]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Sestak 568,563 53.9
Democratic Arlen Specter (incumbent) 487,217 46.1
Total votes 1,055,780 100
United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2010 [111]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Pat Toomey 2,028,945 51.01% -1.61%
Democratic Joe Sestak 1,948,716 48.99% +7.00%
Majority 80,229 2.02%
Total votes 3,977,661 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic Swing
2016 United States Senate Democratic primary in Pennsylvania[112]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Katie McGinty 669,774 42.50
Democratic Joe Sestak 513,221 32.57
Democratic John Fetterman 307,090 19.49
Democratic Joseph Vodvarka 85,837 5.45
Total votes 1,575,922 100.00

Personal life

Sestak is married to the former Susan L. Clark. In childhood their daughter Alexandra survived brain cancer.[113]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Joe Sestak, the 60th Democrat". NYTimes. 2010-08-18. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  2. ↑ http://www.delconewsnetwork.com/articles/2009/09/22/obituaries/doc4ab283192d5dc799232498.txt?viewmode=fullstory
  3. 1 2 Fitzgerald, Thomas. Sestak's tough fight for Senate seat. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 11 April 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 Joe Sestak Biography
  5. ↑ "Joseph Sestak Biography". Biography.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  6. 1 2 VADM Joseph Sestak, USN Ret., Officer Bio File, United States Navy Operational Archives, U.S. Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, DC.
  7. ↑ Malloy, Daniel. Sestak refuses to back down in race for Specter's seat. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 5 April 2010.
  8. ↑ Jacobson, Louis. Sestak: Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead. Real Clear Politics. 9 June 2009.
  9. ↑ "Official U.S. Navy bio". Navy.mil. 2006-02-01. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  10. ↑ "Veterans tell Specter to take down ad against Sestak (VIDEO REPORT)". Pa2012.com. 2010-04-21. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  11. ↑ "Vice Admiral Joseph A. Sestak, Jr". Ndu.edu. 1951-12-12. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  12. ↑ Klein, Joe (2006-09-17). "In Pennsylvania, it's the Admiral Vs. the Firefighter". TIME. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  13. ↑ Source: C-SPAN, Dec 13, 2010
  14. ↑ Murray, Shailagh; Kane, Paul (June 13, 2010). "Outsider candidates for Congress seek insider help in general election". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
  15. ↑ Source: Delaware County Daily Times, Oct 4, 2006 Archived March 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑ Bender, William. Sestak’s coffers continue to grow. Delaware County Daily Times. 4 October 2006.
  17. ↑ "Majority Watch". Majority Watch. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  18. ↑ Giroux, Greg. Navy Vet Sestak Coming Closer to Sinking Weldon in Pa. 7. Congressional Quarterly. 13 October 2006.
  19. ↑ Dale, Maryclaire (2006-10-21). "Weldon Faces Tough Opponent, FBI Probe". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  20. ↑ Bender, William. Court Action Suggests Weldon May Walk. Philadelphia Daily News. 14 February 2009.
  21. ↑ "Sestak V. Williams". Electionreturns.state.pa.us. 2008-11-04. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  22. ↑ The Centrists Archived June 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. National Journal. 3 March 2008.
  23. ↑ Rose, Alex. Democrat leader: Sestak was most productive freshman in U.S. House. Archived March 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Daily Times. 26 December 2007.
  24. ↑ "Web Page Under Construction". Joesestak.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  25. 1 2 "Web Page Under Construction". Joesestak.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  26. ↑ FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 46. House.gov
  27. ↑ FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 37. House.gov
  28. ↑ FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 477. House.gov
  29. ↑ FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 887. House.gov
  30. ↑ Congressman Calls for Thorium Energy. International Thorium Energy Organisation
  31. ↑ Sestak Seeks to Undo Citizens United Decision.The Pennsylvania Progressive Archived March 8, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  32. ↑ "The few, the proud, the tweet-less".
  33. ↑ "Tweet Grader: joesestak1".
  34. ↑ "Community Page about Joe Sestak".
  35. ↑ "Joe Sestak (@JoeSestak)". Twitter.
  36. ↑ "Representative Sestak Hopes For Another Colbert Bump". Lez Get Real.
  37. ↑ "Emanuel to new Democratic members of Congress: Avoid Colbert". Raw Story.
  38. ↑ "Better Know A District - Pennsylvania's 7th - Joe Sestak". Colbert Report.
  39. ↑ "Joe Sestak". Colbert Report.
  40. ↑ "We Hardly Knew Ye". Colbert Report.
  41. ↑ "Sestak to meet with students". The Daily Collegian. 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  42. 1 2 "Sestak: Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead?". Real Clear Politics. 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  43. ↑ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/documents/the-war-over-the-wonks.html
  44. ↑ "Better Know a District - Pennsylvania's 7th - Joe Sestak".
  45. ↑ "War Over The Wonks". Washington Post.
  46. ↑ "Congressman Joe Sestak's (PA-07) Endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces". Sestakforcongress.com. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  47. ↑ "Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC)". Boldprogressives.org. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  48. ↑ 'The Ed Show' for Friday, May 29. MSNBC.
  49. ↑ "Sestak still hitting party leaders". pa2012.com. 2010-06-08. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  50. ↑ "Sestak: 'I intend to get in this race'". Politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com. 2009-05-27. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  51. ↑ Hirschhorn, Dan. "Sestak: Only an 'act of God' will keep him out of Senate race". pa2010.com. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  52. ↑ "SPECTER TOPS TOOMEY BY 9 PTS. IN PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RACE, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS; NEW DEMOCRATIC SENATOR HAS BIG PRIMARY LEAD" (DOC). pa2010.com. Quinnipiac University Poll. May 28, 2009.
  53. ↑ "Home". JoeSestak.com. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  54. ↑ "Sestak seen as most likely to run against Specter in primary". pa2010.com web site. Sam Rohrer. 2009-04-29. Archived from the original on 2010-02-18. Retrieved 2010-02-19.
  55. 1 2 March 17, 2010. Midweek Politics with David Pakman.
  56. ↑ Toeplitz, Shira. The admiral sinks Arlen Specter. Politico. 18 May 2010.
  57. ↑ "Specter fundraiser stalls Senate voting". Washington Times. 2009-09-16. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  58. ↑ MinistryOfTruth. "Specter uses Dem donations to refund GOP donors". The Progressive Electorate. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  59. ↑ "President Obama's Campaign Arm Tries to Get Grass-Roots Democrats to Defeat Fellow Progressive — Political Punch". Blogs.abcnews.com. 2010-05-15. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  60. ↑ Fitzgerald, Thomas. Sestak holds to story of job offer. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 20 February 2010.
  61. ↑ "Midweek Politics with David Pakman – Interview With Congressman Joe Sestak Part 1 of 2". YouTube. 2010-03-17. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  62. ↑ "Midweek Politics with David Pakman – Interview With Congressman Joe Sestak Part 2 of 2". YouTube. 2010-03-17. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  63. ↑ ROBERT F. BAUER, WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL (May 28, 2010). "Memorandum from White House Counsel Regarding the Review of Discussions Relating to Congressman Sestak". The White House, Office of the Press Secretary.
  64. ↑ "White House Asked Bill Clinton to Urge Sestak to Drop Out of Senate Race". FOX News. May 28, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  65. ↑ "RAW DATA: Sestak's Statement on White House Report on Job Offer". FOX News. May 28, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  66. ↑ "Who Offered Sestak a WH Job? – CBS News Video". Cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  67. ↑ "Joe Sestak's "Bribe" Scandal: Another Ethics Sideshow". Legal Ethics Forum. 2010-05-24. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  68. ↑ Cilizza, Chris (2011-09-22). "Pennsylvania Senate race moves to "Lean Republican"". The Washington Post.
  69. ↑ http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/pa/pennsylvania_senate_sestak_vs_toomey-1059.html
  70. ↑ Levy, Marc (2010-11-03). "Pa. Dem concedes to GOP's Toomey in Senate race". The Washington Post.
  71. ↑ Picture of Joe Sestak and family at Radnor Hotel, 11/3/2010. http://twitpic.com/33ghxo
  72. ↑ Mulkeen, Tom (2011-01-16). "Corbett and Toomey had twice as many ads as Onorato and Sestak". PoliticsPA.
  73. ↑ http://www.issues2000.org/Archive/2010_PA_Senate_Joe_Sestak.htm
  74. ↑
  75. ↑ "Sestak named to Gen. Omar Bradley chair in strategic leadership". The Patriot-News. 2013-04-14. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  76. 1 2 "Sestak gearing up for official bid against Toomey". The Morning Call. September 4, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  77. ↑ "Breaking: Sestak for Senate (With Video)". PoliticsPA. May 14, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  78. ↑ "PA-Sen: Sestak Prepares for Battle". PoliticsPA. November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  79. ↑ Beck, Tom (March 4, 2015). "PA-Sen: Sestak Kicks Off 2016 Campaign in Philadelphia". PoliticsPA. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  80. ↑ http://www.politicspa.com/sestak-senate-rematch-history/48049/
  81. ↑ Ostermeier, Eric (May 15, 2013). "Sestak Seeks First US Senate Rematch in Pennsylvania History". Smart Politics.
  82. ↑
  83. ↑
  84. ↑ Kopp, John (April 26, 2016). "McGinty defeats Sestak to win Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate". Philly Voice. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  85. ↑
  86. ↑ Lawmaker Ratings: Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa., 7th) The Hill.
  87. ↑ Weber, Christopher. NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Joe Sestak for Senate in Pennsylvania. Politics Daily.
  88. ↑ Drake, Bruce. "NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Joe Sestak for Senate in Pennsylvania". Politicsdaily.com. Retrieved 2011-06-02.
  89. ↑ Freind, Chris. Malvern Prep Cancels Appearance By Sestak Archived February 15, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. The Bulletin. 18 February 2009.
  90. ↑ Economy Archived July 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Joe Sestak: Democrat for Senate.
  91. ↑ "House Vote 477 - H.R.2454: On Passage — NYTimes.com". Politics.nytimes.com. 2009-07-22. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  92. ↑ Energy & Environment. Archived July 1, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Joe Sestak: Democrat for Senate.
  93. ↑ "Project Vote Smart – Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence Ratings". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  94. ↑ "Project Vote Smart – National Rifle Association Ratings". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  95. ↑ O'Toole, Jim. Sestak: reinstate assault gun ban. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 6 August 2009.
  96. ↑ "Today's Workplace » Rep. Joe Sestak". Todaysworkplace.org. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  97. ↑ "Pediatric Cancer Caucus". Sestak.house.gov. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  98. ↑ Diabetes Caucus Members. Archived March 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Congressional Diabetes Caucus.
  99. ↑ Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
  100. ↑ http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/documents/world/read-an-open-letter-from-retired-generals-and-admirals-on-the-iran-nuclear-deal/1689/
  101. ↑ Health. Archived May 20, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Joe Sestak: Democrat for Senate.
  102. ↑ State and Federal Medical Marijuana Law Enforcement and Implementation. Project Vote Smart.
  103. ↑ Joe Sestak and Allyson Schwartz Vote to Continue the War Unabated. Archived January 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Young Philly Politics. 22 June 2008.
  104. ↑ Congressman Sestak Votes for Passage of War Supplemental: Appropriations measure also contains vital funding for Gulf relief, education, veterans, border control.
  105. ↑ Roll Call Vote for HR 6304, FISA Amendments Act. House.gov
  106. ↑ Defense. Congressman Joe Sestak.
  107. ↑ Kornreich, Lauren (2009-10-12). "Sestak: 'Rogue unit' abused gay sailor". CNN. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  108. ↑ Witte, Brian (2009-10-21). "Petty Officer forced to retire early". Associated Press. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
  109. ↑ "Elections Results – PA Dept. of State". Electionreturns.state.pa.us. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  110. ↑ "Commonwealth of PA — Elections Information". Electionreturns.state.pa.us. 2010-05-18. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
  111. ↑ "2010 General Election". Elections Information. Pennsylvania Department of State. November 2, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
  112. ↑ "April 26, 2016 Primary Election Official Returns". Pennsylvania Secretary of State. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  113. ↑ Joe Klein (2010-05-16). "Arlen Specter – Joe Sestak Race Heats Up in Pennsylvania". Time: The Weekly Newsmagazine. Archived from the original on May 20, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-16.

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Articles

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Curt Weldon		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district
2007–2011 		Succeeded by
Pat Meehan
Party political offices
Preceded by
Joe Hoeffel		 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
(Class 3)
2010 		Succeeded by
Katie McGinty
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