Editorial: Get ready for a barn-burner in Dem Senate primary

It’s not exactly a secret that the former 7th District Congressman from Delco is not the apple of their eye. They have been searching for someone – anyone – to challenge him for the right to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, who defeated Sestak back in 2010. Of course, that followed a Democratic primary that saw the retired admiral thumb his nose at his own party’s brass. Top Democrats – including President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and former Mayor and Gov. Ed Rendell were ready to roll out the red carpet for Republican turncoat Sen. Arlen Specter. Realizing he was going to lose his own primary fight against the conservative Toomey, Specter switched his stripes – and his party allegiance.

Sestak has at least one party leader in his camp. Delaware County Democratic Party Chairman David Landau remains a staunch Sestak supporter. “I believe Joe is extremely popular with the rank-and-file throughout the state,” Landau said.

The truth is Sestak never stopped campaigning after his close defeat to Toomey. He continued to travel to every nook and cranny across the state thanking his supporters. He taught classes at Carnegie-Mellon in Pittsburgh to give him a footing in the western part of the state. That will be important. Both McGinty and Sestak are from the Philadelphia region. They could split the vote among Democrats here, leaving the rest of the state largely up for grabs.

One thing is certain. Don’t expect Sestak to give an inch. This is how he reacted on Twitter to the news that Rendell was lining up behind McGinty: “If party leaders in DC & the machine in Philly want an establishment candidate, I’m not their guy. I’m for people, above party or type. ”