By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com

Democratic U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter on Thursday received the endorsement of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, just days before the incumbent senator seeks the state party’s endorsement at its annual winter meeting.

“The Senator’s prodigious work ethic is well known here and throughout the state, and whenever I have asked for his help he has come through for us,” Ravenstahl said in a statement.

The endorsement isn’t surprising. Specter has the support of nearly all high-profile Democrats in Pennsylvania and in Washignton, including President Obama, Governor Ed Rendell and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.

In 2008, Ravenstahl endorsed another Pennsylvania establishment favorite, Hilary Clinton.

Specter faces Democratic challenger Joe Sestak in the primary.