A Sestak is jumping into the race for Pa. Governor.
But it isn’t Joe, the former Admiral and former Congressman.
Richard Sestak, Joe’s brother and chief advisor, will join Rob McCord’s campaign as Senior Advisor in charge of strategy, operations, and field organizing.
“Like my brother Joe, Rob is a different kind of leader,” Rich Sestak said. “Rob understands what Pennsylvania families are going through because he’s been through it himself.”
“I am honored, and proud, to be a part of the McCord campaign team, and I look forward to electing Rob governor in 2014.”
It appears to be the first time that Rich is taking a campaign title outside the family. He and executed the strategy for his brother’s 2006 and 2008 congressional races as well as his 2010 campaign.
“Rich Sestak has put together some of the of the all-time great Pennsylvania campaigns, and he’s been especially effective at creating some amazing field programs,” said McCord. “His campaigns were targeted, disciplined, and highly effective. That’s exactly the type of campaign we’re running, and I’m thrilled to have Rich on board as a Senior Advisor.”
Joe Sestak was considered a possible candidate for Governor following his close 2010 defeat in the race for U.S. Senate, but has instead chosen to consider a rematch with Sen. Pat Toomey.
Joe Sestak has not endorsed a candidate for governor. However it is highly unlikely that Rich Sestak joined McCord’s campaign without his brother’s OK.
Sestak had a patchy relationship with Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, his former colleague. In 2012, he headlined a fundraiser for her Occupy movement-inspired primary challenger Nate Kleinman (who was a former Sestak campaign volunteer).
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11 Responses
Jeremy-
The rift between Schwartz and Sestak? I’m guessing each one resents the other not kissing their ass.
If McCord loses to Schwartz, Sestak will be facing Rob in the Senate primary. 🙂
With less than two weeks before the November General Election, why isn’t Richard Sestak helping the Delco Dem slate for County Council, Judge, Sheriff, Register of Wills and Controller?
(Probably the same reason he hasn’t ever helped the Delco Dems.)
Jon-
When Sestak ran in 2006, Richard wasn’t the campaign manager. He was just along for his brother’s ride. In 2008, Joe didn’t have a viable challenger, so Richard got to play manager and political adviser in a “dual” roll for $6,000 a month. Joe really didn’t need anyone skilled running the campaign (he didn’t even spend a dime on advertising). However, it was a way to funnel a lot of money to his brother from donor pockets.
Of course, Richard stayed on for Sestak’s failed Senate bid. How did that turn out? Oh.. right…
So, there’s no actual evidence of Richard being a major asset to a campaign, making a difference, or having “put together some of the of the all-time great Pennsylvania campaigns”.
2006 a great campaign, but not one that Richard put together
2008 not an all time great campaign, but more of non-campaign
2010 – Primary .. it all came down to the attack ads on Specter and Sestak dragging down Obama with job-gate
2010 General not a campaign to brag about
This move seems more like McCord’s giving Richard some charity work as a favor to Joe.
For Joe’s own campaign, the latest FEC filing shows he spent
$8,500 this quarter on Edwin Wee
$7,500 on Robert Weaver
$4,000 on Yasmin Faruki
and $254.61 on Richard (plus an apparent $1,500 for health insurance)
I guess that shows how valuable Richard is to Joe.
Fortunately, for McCord, I don’t think Richard will do much damage and he can always answer phones.
Does this mean Joe Sestak is on Team McCord? I wonder if that is the case. Does anyone know why there is a rift between Schwartz and Sestak anyway?
I think McCord and Sestak will be hard to beat in the primaries.
….And? So a one-term former congressman’s brother will be working on this downward campaign…. that was informative
It is amazing how the rank and file voters completely disregard these so-called endorsements and mover-shaker insider intrigues—the voters will decide who the best candidate is.
Will Richard still get his $84 per month in payroll (and presumed $580 per month in health care insurance) from Sestak campaign?
My take is this: Warning to Rob McCord that the only reason Richard is there is to “steal” ideas, information, make contacts, etc. to help his brother in 2016. This is a cheap way for Sestak campaign to “interview” and cherry pick staffers for Sestak later on. Unless Richard is bringing over a boatload of Sestak volunteers to work phones or other manpower intensive tasks, his impact will be negligible beyond some Sestak lemmings taking Richard’s position as an endorsement of McCord.
McCord has a good reputation for helping other candidates in the party. Richard’s reputation is completely the opposite. In Sept 2007 (the year after Joe was elected to Congress), I asked Richard if Joe would be helping with fundraising for the Delco Dems or hosting any events. Richard’s response was: “Why should he? It’s not his contest. No one here did anything for him.”
While I’m sure Richard will work hard on field operations, I wouldn’t count on him for much in the way of strategy or efficiency.
Allyson should be more worried if Aubrey went over to McCord than Richard.
You know you’ve reached a certain place in the world of “website commenting” when other commenters are speculating on what you will say about the article.
Nate Kleinman was a Sestak campaign staffer in 2010, not a volunteer. He did mainly communications and constituency/political outreach.
I’d say Diano doesn’t know what to do…hates anything Seatak but he likes McCord….whatever will Double D do?
Great news for McCord
I will be taking bets on which person is melting down more over this info. David Dianno or Allyson Schwartz?
This seems to be a solid move for the McCord Campaign.