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Joseph A. "Joe" Sestak, Jr. (born December 12, 1951) is a retired United States Navy vice admiral and Congressman-elect for the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district (map). He defeated Republican Curt Weldon in the November 2006 election.
Joseph A. "Joe" Sestak, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| File:Sestak.jpg | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 7th district | |
| In office 2007- | |
| Preceded by | Curt Weldon |
| Succeeded by | Congressman-elect |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Susan L. Clark |
Personal
Sestak was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania and graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School. His grandfather, Martin, came to America from the village of Dolné Lovčice in Slovakia with his father Joseph, who was a young child at the time. Sestak's father graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1942, and then fought in both the Atlantic and Pacific in during World War II. Following in father's footsteps, Sestak graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in American Political Systems.[1] Between tours at sea, Sestak earned a master's degree in Public Administration and a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University.
Sestak is married to the former Susan L. Clark and they have a daughter, Alexandra.
Naval Career
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 (DDG-23), and then was weapons officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Hoel (DDG-13). He then served as aide and flag lieutenant to the admiral in charge of U.S. Navy surface forces in the Pacific.
In January 1986, Sestak became executive officer of the guided missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG-36). He then served in in the Politico-Military Assessment Division of the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On August 30, 1991, Sestak took command of the guided missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58), 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.[1]
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 the September 11, 2001 attacks, 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 chief of naval operations Vern Clark as policy adviser and administrator. Sestak told The Hill that as the designated policy adviser and administrator to Clark, it was his job to revamp the Navy, a process that necessarily ruffled feathers. “Change is very challenging,” Sestak said. “It did not sit well with a lot of people...I work hard, and I did not ask anyone to work harder than me." [1]
In the summer of 2005, Sestak was administratively reassigned from his position as DCNO. His removal was one of the first changes made by Adm. Mike Mullen when he took over as Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in July, according to Navy Times.
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.[2]
2006 Congressional campaign
Sestak is running against Republican incumbent Curt Weldon, who was first elected to his seat in 1986. Weldon won with 58% of the vote in 2004 against a Democratic opponent who only raised $9,000, compared to almost $900,000 by Weldon. Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry won 54% of the district's vote that year.
Sestak has proven to be a capable fundraiser, having raised more money than U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon for 2 consecutive quarters, the second and third quarter of 2006. In the third quarter of 2006, Sestak’s $1.14 million bested the $912,000 raised by Weldon. Sestak raised $704,000 in the second quarter of 2006, while Weldon reported raising $692,000 in the second quarter. 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. Source: Delaware County Daily Times, Oct 4, 2006[3]
On October 13, 2006, CQPolitics changed their rating on the race, from "Leans Republican" to the highly competitive "No Clear Favorite."[4] This was the second time CQPolitics changed its rating in the match-up; in July, it reclassified the race from "Republican Favored" to the more competitive "Leans Republican."[5]
On October 6, 2006, the nonpartisan and influential Cook Political Report re-rated the race from "Lean Republican" to the more competitive "Toss Up."[6] A poll released in late September 2006 showed Sestak and Weldon locked in a statistical dead heat. Sestak lead Weldon 44-43 amongst 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 re-election.[7] The poll numbers suggest Sestak has seriously eroded Weldon's previous lead; a poll conducted in April 2006 by the pro-Democratic Party organization Democracy Corps had Weldon leading 51 to 41 percent. An October 8-10 survey by nonpartisan pollster Constituent Dynamics put Sestak ahead 51-44.[8]
On election day, graffiti, done by Sestak supporters, appeared throughout PA's 7th District. These acts of vandalism portrayed Sestak's opponent, Curt Weldon, as a communist. See Pictures: <a href="http://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0494yt7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/4552/img0494yt7.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a> <a href="http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0497ho4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9382/img0497ho4.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
External links
- Joseph Sestak's official campaign website
- PA-7 Watch - Blog about the 2006 PA-7 Congressional race
- "GOP's Financial Edge Shrinks -- Challengers Gain On Incumbents" The Washington Post, August 20, 2006
- "Sestak's command raises questions" Times Herald, April 1, 2006
- "War Vs. More War for Congress" The Washington Post, February 13, 2006
- Undated campaign photograph of Sestak
- Undated family photograph of Sestak
