MEDIA, Pa. — Noted public servant and environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. today announced his strong support for U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak. In an email message received by supporters across the Commonwealth, Kennedy praised Joe’s practical approach to problem solving and highlighted his commonsense stances on difficult issues like Marcellus Shale.

“I’m deeply grateful for Mr. Kennedy’s support,” said Joe. “His leadership on environmental issues has had a tremendous impact, from helping to protect the water supply, to restoring historic waterways like the Hudson. It’s an honor to have his support, and I look forward to working with him in the Senate to address the priorities we share.”

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has long defended the environment as an attorney, an author, and a public activist. He has won a string of important legal victories in the fight to preserve and protect our natural resources, and has raised his prominent voice on behalf of environmental concerns across the Americas. In announcing his endorsement of Admiral Sestak’s campaign, he joins a string of other prominent supporters, including former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, Independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former President Bill Clinton, and at least 16 newspapers across Pennsylvania.

TEXT OF LETTER:

For some, politics is about serving an ideology. For others, it’s about fulfilling a calling to public service. That’s Joe Sestak.

In this year’s Senate race, this contrast could hardly be more apparent. As a former three-star Admiral, Joe Sestak understands the meaning of service and sacrifice. He has proven his commitment to the values that make our country great, and displayed courage in defense of the principles he holds dear.

That’s why I am proud to offer him my strong support in this year’s race for U.S. Senate.

Foremost among the questions facing Pennsylvania is the debate over how to develop Marcellus Shale resources. As a lifelong environmental attorney and advocate, I have been following the discussion on this issue with great interest.

Joe’s opponent, Congressman Toomey, would throw caution to the wind, inviting industrial giants from outside Pennsylvania to trample infrastructure, pollute the environment, and risk the health and safety of many who live near Shale deposits. This might be good for energy industry profits, but it would be disastrous for Pennsylvania families.

Joe Sestak would take a measured, practical approach. He would support commonsense regulations designed to keep Pennsylvanians safe, protect the environment, and at the same time maximize the potential of Marcellus Shale development to create jobs.

This is the kind of principled leadership our country desperately needs in Washington. Wall Street and Big Oil have enough friends in Congress. We’ve seen the kind of reckless deregulation and misguided tax cuts that Toomey – who calls oil company regulation “criminal” – would pursue in the Senate, and we’re still recovering from their disastrous impact on our economy and our environment. It’s time to take a different approach.

Our political system has been brought to a standstill by those, like Joe’s opponent, who are driven by a rigid mindset rather than the concerns of ordinary Americans. Congressman Toomey and his allies have taken extreme positions on issues like climate change, seeking to undermine broad scientific consensus in favor of an ideology that brooks no dissent.

Joe Sestak is an extremely dedicated public servant, and he’ll be a fierce, independent advocate for Pennsylvania’s working families. I urge you to join me in supporting his campaign, and working hard to elect him to the U.S. Senate.

Sincerely,

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.