It's Official! Updated with video.
Today, I am announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate. Join me at JoeSestak.com, where we'll begin streaming live from VFW Post 928 in Folsom, Pennsylvania, at 8:30 am.
Today is the day we stand up for Democratic values, for the right of the people of Pennsylvania to have their say, and for hard-working families all across the Commonwealth.
There are some who say it's impossible to win without the backing of the establishment, who say we'd be better off cutting deals and bargaining on our principles. But that kind of political calculation isn't what put the Democrats in power, and it isn't going to keep us there.
I say -- and I've heard people all across the state say -- that we need to stand up for our beliefs, that we need leaders of genuine conviction, not political convenience. I say the people demand and deserve some accountability for what has happened to our Commonwealth and our Country.
We know it's not going to be easy. We know it's worthwhile because it's not going to be easy.
But to succeed, I need everyone who believes in accountable leadership and the right of the people to have their say to join me -- and I ask you to start now by joining me at JoeSestak.com.
Afternoon Update
It's Official! I'm Running to Restore Accountable Leadership to Washington
This this morning, I was honored to stand in the VFW Hall where I am a member and address an overflowing room of enthusiastic supporters to announce my candidacy to be the next United States Senator from Pennsylvania.
I can’t tell you how energized I am after seeing all of those people come together, veterans and teachers, laborers and doctors, students and seniors. They all made the early morning trip out to Folsom, and were joined by thousands watching live online, because they know that we must work together to restore the promise of the American Dream.
Watch my announcement here (part one):
And here (part two):
The American Dream is a great compact between generations – a promise that we will all pass down a better world than the one we inherited. Now, it has been lost for the first time in our history, because too many of those sent to Washington to represent you, the people, have instead acted on behalf of the powerful and well-connected.
This campaign is not about me. It's about all of us, and we are going to need your help to win. We have an opportunity -- if we act with resolve – to put college back in reach for our children, to demand transparency and accountability from our financial system, and provide quality and affordable health care to everyone. We can be a world leader again, working toward peace or putting American ingenuity on the front line against global climate change.<br.</p>
To succeed, we must remain committed to our principles and let the politics take care of itself. For too long, people in powerful positions have failed to remember that the American Dream has never been about a few people getting ahead, or about protecting those in power -- it is about everyone having an opportunity to do well, and creating a better world to pass down to the next generation.
I am already on the road and over the next two days will take this message to Pittsburgh and Johnstown, Harrisburg and Scranton, and finally on to the most daunting event of all -- a featured appearance on the Colbert Report Wednesday night. You can support this message by making a contribution. In addition to our principles, we need every dollar to help restore the American Dream!
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Thank you and please stay engaged in our campaign to restore the American Dream.