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Sestak backs Lentz, former rival, for House seat
Joe Sestak, left, endorses Bryan Lentz for Congress on Tuesday. Delaware County Democratic Party vice-chair Tony Campisi is at right. Photo by Lucia Thayer.
MEDIA—Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) gave the official thumbs-up to former political rival Bryan Lentz on Tuesday, as Lentz pursues the House seat that Sestak is leaving open to run for Senate.
With the primary field clear for Lentz, Sestak’s support was largely assumed, but it was nonetheless an important symbolic gesture to a local Democratic establishment loyal to Sestak, and an appropriate closing chapter to what was very briefly a political rivalry in 2006. Sestak said he was particularly happy to throw his political weight behind Lentz’s bid in the 7th Congressional District because of their shared military backgrounds and also because they often worked together over the past four years.
“I really mean it, I can’t think of anyone who will be more stalwart in standing up for people,” Sestak said during a news conference at local party headquarters here. “I don’t say it lightly.”
Lentz will face Republican Pat Meehan in the suburban Philadelphia district, one of the most competitive House races in the country. Lentz originally planned to run for the seat in 2006, but after Sestak came on the scene, he eventually stepped aside at the urging of Gov. Ed Rendell. He won a state House seat in Swarthmore instead.
A former prosecutor and Army ranger, Lentz said in an interview that his No. 1 priority in Congress would be to handle a political 800-pound gorilla—entitlement spending. Lentz noted that programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are a majority of the national budget, and keep growing.
“[The deficit] is going to endanger our economy in the short and long term if we don’t deal with it,” Lentz said. But he stopped short of advocating more taxes or benefit reductions. Instead, he said he would support whatever solutions were recommended by the recently-formed presidential commission on deficit reduction.
“They’re going to be hard decisions to make politically, but if you’re going to be willing to deal with the national debt, we have to be willing to make tough political decisions,” Lentz said.
See a video report from Tuesday morning’s news conference below.
May 11, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Tags: Bryan Lentz, Joe Sestak, PA-7, Pat Meehan
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David Diano
May 11th, 2010
What a ball-less endorsement by Sestak for an uncontested primary. Sestak could have spoken up months ago.
What would help Lentz more is if Sestak hadn’t drained $4 million that was solicited to be used for keeping the 7th Congressional district in Democratic hands.
The real question is what is better for Lentz: Sestak winning or losing the primary?
Scenario 1: Sestak (gag) wins-
pros: drives Dem voter turnout for Lentz
cons:
1- all the volunteers in Delco will be working for Sestak’s elsewhere in the state.
2- Sestak will suck up dollars and attention from Lentz.
3- Sestak’s campaign will identify Sestak+Meehan split ticket voters and GOTV them.
Scenario 2: Sestak (yea!) loses:
pros:
1- Lentz’s race becomes VERY important to those Sestak fans that care about the party (instead of just Joe) and will work hard to keep the seat.
2- Lentz will be the headliner/beneficiary at fundraising events in Delco. Sestak may show up hear the adulation and sympathy of the crowds, but Bryan will be cashing all the donor checks.
3- Sestak no longer as a reason to hog his volunteer, donor and contact lists. So, either he share that info with Bryan, or show himself to be selfish and unwilling to help. Either result helps Bryan.
cons:
1- Dem Voter turnout will be down, but this is mitigated by lack of split-ticket GOTV
2- donors and DCCC might (erroneously) think that this hurts Lentz
Anyway, Lentz is a great candidate and decent human being. He’s definitely an upgrade.
@Snarlin_Arlen
May 11th, 2010
Have I endorsed Bryan Lentz? I better get on that if I haven’t. Damn that Joe Sestak, stealing my votes!
Shawn M.
May 11th, 2010
Having Sestak at the top of the ticket is probably better for Lentz than Specter, but only marginally so.
David, to your point about 7th district volunteers working for Sestak across the state, I doubt that will happen. Comparing Lentz against Sestak, it is obvious that the former is infinitely more honest and true blue, doesn’t believe he’s the best thing to happen to the Democrats since RFK, and isn’t going to leave the district in the lurch for pastures greener after only two (undistinguished) terms. I supported Sestak twice and still have crow stuck between my teeth.
Lentz is a LIFELONG southeastern Pennsylvania DEMOCRAT, and every true bluer in the 7th district should sweat their heart out to send him to Congress.
David Diano
May 11th, 2010
Shawn-
Try to picture for one second the response if you suggested that Sestak fans spend any time making donor calls for Lentz.
Lentz is in reality the guy that “Campaign Joe” pretends to be in front of crowds. Also, Lentz is the same decent guy when the cameras are off or behind closed doors.
I’d much rather help Lentz and the 7th district state rep candidates than waste time on the Senate race.
huw
May 11th, 2010
nice tie, tony campisi
WESTPADEM6
May 11th, 2010
This is the first time ive ever seen Sestak help anyone or endorse anyone, even though its totally worthless.
This is prob a ploy for Joe to fundraise money seeing as either way he’ll be broke by Tuesday night and could raise a meager 105,000. His FR numbers were pitiful. Make the Sen. Toomey name plate if he wins.
David Diano
May 11th, 2010
WestDem-
This is the first time in recent memory Sestak’s been a campaign photo without his own name on the poster in the background.
Sestak actually said something that I agree with: That Lentz will be the best.
Admittedly, Weldon and Sestak have set the bar pretty low. Still though, it’s a rare acknowledgment by Sestak of the superiority of another candidate. I doubt Sestak actually realized he was being truthful.
Chester County Democratic Committee » Sestak backs Lentz, former rival, for House seat
May 12th, 2010
[...] pa2010.com, 5/11/10 [...]
Lana
May 12th, 2010
What a slimy guy Sestak really is. Why didn’t he wait until next Wednesday to endorse Lentz who should have had the seat to begin with. I am sorry that Lentz even took it but I guess he had too as he is a nice guy. Since no one else endorsed Sestak I guess he just had to get his ugly face in the news.
Good bye Joe, don’t let the door hit you. I hate this lying guy just as everyone in the 7th does, why else would they support him for Senate.
Matt M.
May 13th, 2010
Bryan Lentz is the congressman the 7th district deserves. I can’t wait to vote for him.