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Pawlowski to seek Senate seat as Democrat

WASHINGTON - Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski will run for the U.S. Senate, becoming the first Democrat to pose a primary challenge to former Rep. Joe Sestak, according to party leaders informed of his plans.

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. ( Donna Fisher / The Morning Call )
Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. ( Donna Fisher / The Morning Call )Read more

WASHINGTON - Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski will run for the U.S. Senate, becoming the first Democrat to pose a primary challenge to former Rep. Joe Sestak, according to party leaders informed of his plans.

Pawlowski is scheduled to announce his decision Friday. His plans were confirmed by Jim Burn, chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and U.S. Rep. Robert Brady (D., Pa.), the party chair in Philadelphia.

"He's a formidable candidate," Brady said. "He's a pretty quality guy."

Pawlowski is expected to run on his record as mayor of the state's third-largest city, which is enjoying an economic renaissance.

"Ed Pawlowski has an excellent story to tell," Burn said. "As a public servant, he has done remarkable work in Allentown."

The Republican he hopes to unseat, Pat Toomey, also hails from the Lehigh Valley, and the 2016 race for his seat is among the country's most-watched.

Democrats have talked up their chances of beating Toomey in a state that has tilted their way in presidential election years. But some in the party worry about leaving the race to Sestak, a maverick who has had strained relations with the party elite and Washington establishment.

Pawlowski briefly ran for governor last year, but dropped out after raising just $346,000 in a race with no limits on campaign donations. Federal candidates are limited in how much they can get from individual contributors.

Pawlowski has "a great personal story" and a common touch, said Democratic analyst Larry Ceisler. But "when he ran for governor, he couldn't raise money."

Sestak had $1.6 million in campaign funds at the end of 2014; as of Thursday he had not released his latest report.

Toomey had about $7.3 million on hand through March, his campaign said.

Other Democrats, such as Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, and former Rep. Chris Carney are also said to be considering runs.

Asked about the latest entrant in the race, a Sestak spokeswoman noted that Sestak has previously said, "Anyone who wants to get in should get in."