Former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel To Endorse Sestak

Former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Republican, told the Associated Press today that he will endorse U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak's bid for the U.S. Senate at events tomorrow in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.  Sestak, a Democrat, has endured waves of television advertising from his Republican opponent, former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey, painting him as a tax-and-spend liberal in lock-step with the policies of President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Sestak last week won the endorsement of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who first won control of City Hall as a Republican but then registered as an independent.  Hagel told the AP Sestak's record in the House shows he puts the priorities of the country before partisanship.

Toomey spokeswoman Nachama Soloveichik just released this response: "Congressman Sestak can bring in any individuals he wants from out of state to vouch for his credentials, but the most telling thing is how he votes, and there is nothing independent about how he votes when he voted 100% of the time with Nancy Pelosi."

Sestak's campaign just confirmed the endorsement with an e-mail that says, "the two-term Nebraska Senator will speak about Joe's independence and focus on doing what's right not for Wall Street or Washington special interests but for Pennsylvania's working families."

UPDATE, 7:30 pm:  Hagel declined to comment on Toomey to the AP today and he had Sestak's staff e-mail a statement after we contacted his Washington D.C. office earlier today.  Here it is:

"I have known Joe since we traveled to Iraq together in April 2007. I have great respect for him and was honored when he asked me to come to Pennsylvania to campaign for him. He has proven that he is a courageous and independent thinker, and willing to put what is best for his country ahead of the interests of his party. He is a real problem solver who is willing to make tough choices to get things done regardless of the political consequences."