Specter has at least one opponent: Torsella
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
Senator Specter's switch from the Republican to the Democratic party puts the one declared Democrat in a tough spot. Joe Torsella, the former head of the National Constitution Center, says he's staying in the race.
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Torsella says he heard from Specter himself on Tuesday morning. But Torsella says, facing the five-term Senator in next year's primary does not change his political aspirations.
Torsella: Politicians tend to make this about their jobs, and in the end this is about Pennsylvanians' jobs, and the future of the Commonwealth and the country and that's a race that I dont feel any less optimistic about today than I did yesterday.
Until recently, Torsella had plenty to feel optimistic about. His first quarter postings had him raising about $600,000 dollars. And he says he raised more than any other Democratic challenger in the country.
But President Obama says he will campaign for Specter in the state and Governor Ed Rendell, who asked Specter to switch parties, is expected to throw his fundraising prowess behind his longtime friend.