Joe Sestak

Joseph Ambrose "Joe" Sestak, Jr. (born December 12, 1951) is a former U.S. Navy three-star Admiral and former American politician. A Democrat, he served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for two terms, from PA's 7th congressional district from 2007 to 2011. He was and remains the highest-ranking military official ever elected to the U.S. Congress. On May 14, 2013 he announced that he was considering a rematch with Pat Toomey and launched an exploratory campaign for the United States Senate in 2016.

Sestak was a member of the United States Navy for over 30 years. Late in his naval career, Sestak served as the Director for Defense on the National Security Council under President Bill Clinton. During his naval career, he held a series of operational commands, including commanding the USS George Washington carrier strike group during combat operations in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean in 2002. Following the September 11 attacks, he served as the first director of "Deep Blue" (code name), the Navy's top secret counter-terrorism unit.

Early life, education and career
Sestak was born in Secane, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Martin, came to America from the Czechoslovak village of Dolné Lovčice in what is now Slovakia in 1922, after World War I, while his father Joseph (age 3), was sent to America in 1924 to join Martin. Sestak's father graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1942, and then fought in both the Atlantic and the Pacific during World War II, rising the rank of captain. Afterwards, he continued his service as an engineering officer in at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

Sestak attended Cardinal O'Hara High School in Springfield, Penn., where his mother worked as a math teacher. Sestak was deeply inspired by his father. He recalls the time Joseph Sr. spent five hours fixing the family car in the freezing cold of a Philadelphia winter: "'I remember going to the window and watching him. And the admiration that I had—just that strong determination of his. Never give in.'" Following in his father's footsteps, Sestak was accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy immediately after graduating high school, during the Vietnam War. In 1974, Sestak graduated second in his class of over 900 midshipmen, with a Bachelor of Science degree in American political systems. Between tours at sea, Sestak earned a Master of Public Administration and a Ph.D. in political economy and government from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1980 and 1984, respectively.

Sestak is currently serving as a Distinguished Practice Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College. In May 2013 he was named the 2013-2014 recipient of the General Omar N. Bradley Chair in Strategic Leadership, a joint initiative among the United States Army War College, Dickinson College and the Pennsylvania State University – Dickinson School of Law. Previous recipients of the Bradley Chair include former Assistant Secretary of State Philip J. Crowley and retired Major General John D. Altenburg.

Naval career


As a surface warfare officer, Sestak served division officer tours as damage control assistant, combat information center officer and weapons officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Richard E. Byrd, and then was weapons officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Hoel. He then served as aide and flag lieutenant to the admiral in charge of United States Navy surface forces in the Pacific.

In January 1986, Sestak became executive officer of the guided missile frigate USS Underwood and was instrumental in the Underwood winning the coveted battle E and the Battenberg Cup (awarded to the best ship in the Atlantic fleet). He then served in the Politico-Military Assessment Division of the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On August 30, 1991, Sestak took command of the guided missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts, which was named the Atlantic Fleet's best surface combatant in the 1993 Battenberg Cup competition.

In July 1993, Sestak became the head of the Strategy and Concepts Branch in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. From November 1994 to March 1997, he was the Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council staff at the White House, where he was responsible for national security and defense strategy, policies, programs, inter-agency and congressional coordination and regional political-military advice. In May 1997, he became the commander of Destroyer Squadron 14. Sestak then directed the CNO's Strategy and Policy Division (N51), and led the Navy's efforts toward the 2000 Quadrennial Defense Review, for which he analyzed the economic value of U.S. defense spending. After September 11th, he became the first director of the Navy Operations Group (Deep Blue), which sought to redefine strategic, operational and budgetary policies in the Global War on Terrorism. He reported directly to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Vern Clark, as policy adviser and administrator. Under Clark, Sestak worked to rein in military spending by maximizing fleet efficiency.

Controversy over reassignment
In the summer of 2005, Sestak was administratively removed from his position as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs (N6/N7). His removal was one of the first changes made by Admiral Michael Mullen when he took over as the new Chief of Naval Operations in July, 2005, according to Navy Times. With his removal, Sestak was reassigned as a special assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

Controversy stirred over his leaving of the Navy, as it was reported that it was because he "ruffled feathers" within the Bush Administration and conflicted with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (who later resigned) because Sestak pushed for spending cuts. In an investigative report by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chief of Naval Operations Vern Clark stated that he, "'wanted straight talk, and this put [Sestak] in the crosshairs. People are going to say what they want to say, but he challenged people who did not want to be challenged. The guy is courageous, a patriot’s patriot.'"

Daughter's illness
In the summer of 2005, his three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Sestak retired from the Navy that year to help care for his daughter. He retired as a two-star Admiral, as he did not hold the rank of three-star Admiral long enough to retain it as a permanent rank.

Military decorations
Sestak's decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals and the Navy Achievement Medal.

2006
Sestak ran successfully for Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district, making him the second Democrat to win in the traditionally Republican district since the Civil War. The race was in the national spotlight, as it was profiled in Time Magazine as the harbinger of the national political climate of the 2006 elections and the most-watched swing district in the country.

In 2006, with his daughter's recovery process going smoothly, Sestak was motivated to run for Congress due to the benefits he received under the United States Military's TRICARE health care program. Due to his high rank, his daughter received the care she needed to treat her brain tumor. Sestak stated that, during his travels to find the best treatment for his daughter, he saw children who didn't have the same quality care, or couldn't even afford the needed care. Thus, Sestak placed health care reform as a pillar of his campaign to make sure everyone had the same care his family had. He articulated that his congressional service was a continuation of his military service, for "paying back" the country that gave health care to his daughter. Sestak began laying the groundwork for a Congressional run in his home district in Pennsylvania as a Democrat. However, he was approached and told that he had to first receive the endorsement of the "DCCC." Confused, Sestak first thought DCCC meant his hometown's Delaware County Community College. Eventually, he was steered toward the correct DCCC, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and informed its head, Rahm Emanuel, of his run for Congress. Emanuel told Sestak he was not ready for such an election. Pennsylvania's 7th district is heavily conservative, as Republicans outnumbered Democrats 2:1. Sestak decided to run anyway and turned to his brother Richard and sisters Elizabeth and Margaret, who served as his campaign manager, top fundraiser and treasurer, respectively. Sestak challenged ten-term incumbent Curt Weldon in a race for the seat. Sestak proved a capable fund-raiser. In the second quarter of 2006, he raised $704,000 to Weldon's $692,000; in the third, $1.14 million to $912,000. As of September 30, 2006, Sestak had $1.53 million cash on hand, while Weldon had $1.12 million in the bank after making a $500,000 TV ad buy that had not started as of the close of the third quarter. Sestak received campaign funds from famed people around the world, including performer Jimmy Buffett, John Grisham, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and many Naval officers.

On October 6, 2006, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report re-rated the race from "Lean Republican" to "Toss Up." A poll released in late September 2006 showed Sestak and Weldon locked in a statistical dead heat. Sestak led Weldon 44-43 among likely voters in a Franklin & Marshall College Keystone Poll released September 29. The poll also found that 49 percent of registered voters in the district felt it was time for change in the district and only 37 percent said Weldon deserved re-election. The poll numbers suggest Sestak had seriously eroded Weldon's previous lead; a poll conducted in April 2006 by the pro-Democratic Party organization Democracy Corps had Weldon leading 51 to 41 percent. An October 8–10 survey by nonpartisan pollster Constituent Dynamics put Sestak ahead 51–44. On October 13, 2006, CQPolitics changed their rating on the race, from "Leans Republican" to "No Clear Favorite." The race was locked in a dead-heat until late October, when FBI special agents raided the homes of Weldon's daughter and a close friend in connection with a federal corruption probe (though as of 2009 neither Weldon nor his daughter were ever charged with a crime). Sestak won by 13 points.

2008
In 2008, Sestak faced Republican nominee Wendell Craig Williams, a U.S. Marine and attorney. Sestak defeated him by a 20-point margin (59.6–40.4), a full 8 points higher than his 2006 election, considered by many to be a landslide victory. He did not purchase any advertisements, and his largest expense was lawn signs. Sestak became the second Democrat in the history of this district to be re-elected.

Sestak signed up for Twitter shortly before he was sworn in for his second term, making him the first congressperson to use that social network on an official basis.

Sestak endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton for president in the 2008 Democratic primaries; he then endorsed Barack Obama for the general election after Obama secured the presidential nomination for the Democratic party.

Committee assignments

 * Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces
 * Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
 * Committee on Education and Labor
 * Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
 * Subcommittee on Healh, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
 * Committee on Small Business (Vice Chairman)
 * Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
 * Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Regulations, Healthcare and Trade

Staff Issues
Sestak's handling of his Congressional staff was said to solidify "the perception that he is a taskmaster with a prickly streak." His staff was expected to work 7 days a week, including holidays, often for 14 hour days, going months without a day off. During his first term in office, Sestak employed 61 people as staff in his official congressional office, while other comparable Congressman employed a total of 28, 26, and 25 staff members, indicating a high turnover rate. Reports said there was "a revolving door in his office, not just because of the long hours, but also because he is not particularly nice or supportive of his staff," said Capitol Hill veteran. "I am sure he would say he is demanding, just as he was in the military on both the giving and receiving end. To staffers on the Hill, though, he is a guy to avoid unless you are desperate for a job." However, sources also said Sestak only works his staff as hard as he works himself, noting he had a very high work ethic.

Legislation and key votes
Sestak wrote various pieces of bi-partisan legislation that successfully passed Congress. In 2008, he was identified by the National Journal as "at the ideological center of the House." House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer named Sestak the most productive freshman member of Congress in 2007. In the 111th United States Congress, Sestak's last term in office, Congress passed more bills written by Sestak than bills written by both of Pennsylvania's Senators, combined.

Most significantly, he created the House Pediatric Cancer Caucus, which he co-chaired; extended benefits for those seeking work (COBRA) as a part of the JOBS bill; co-wrote the amendment to give small businesses tax credits, as a part of health care reform, and moved the first significant federals funds into autism care and research, nicknamed the "Sestak Amendment."

As Congress' senior veteran, he was an original co-sponsor of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell as well as the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. Sestak also heavily advocated for the end of tax payer-paid bailouts to banks in the Wall Street Reform Bill. Sestak voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, but lamented the fact that it did not provide enough accountability measures. He also voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, and the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

Some of his legislation that generated attention, but eventually failed in congress, included researching potential adoption and expansion of Thorium-based nuclear power, and the first legislation to restrict the effects of the controversial ruling of Citizens United.

Primary Election
Whispers of a possible U.S. Senate campaign appeared in 2008 after his landslide victory and $3 million campaign surplus after his re-election. Even before Arlen Specter's announcement to switch parties, draft efforts were organized. However, once Senator Specter switched, nationwide support mounted on a possible senatorial campaign. Most prominent was a straw poll conducted by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, entitled "Should a Draft Sestak movement be created to take on Sen. Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary?" Nationwide, almost 8000 votes were cast with 86% responding yes and 85% of Pennsylvanians responding yes.

Sestak faced significant opposition to his candidacy from President Barack Obama, the national Democratic Party and the state party. Then-Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell (D) appeared on national TV and stated that "Joe Sestak should not run for the Senate in the Democratic primary." Sestak responded, "there’s no more kings, there’s no more king makers in America," and proceeded to visit all 67 counties of Pennsylvania.

On May 27, 2009, Sestak indicated that he intended to challenge current Senator Arlen Specter in the 2010 Democratic primary, pending a final family decision because he hadn't "had the time to sit down with my eight-year-old daughter or my wife to make sure that we are all ready to get in." In June, he was overheard saying "[i]t would take an act of God for me to not get in now," in reference to the Senate race. In a Quinnipiac University Polling Institute poll conducted May 20–26, in the Democratic primary, Specter led with 50%, with Sestak at 21% and 27% undecided. Despite the gap, it was noted that Sestak did not have much statewide recognition at the time, as he represents only one out of the nineteen Pennsylvania congressional districts.

On August 4, Sestak officially announced his candidacy. His only brother, Richard Sestak, was his campaign manager for the Senate race. In discussing his opponent Arlen Specter's switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, Sestak has said that the switch was "100%" motivated by politics.

At a little after 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 18, 2010, the Associated Press called the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate Primary for Congressman Sestak.

Democratic opposition & "Obama's Bribe"
Throughout the primary election, the Obama administration and the Democratic Party campaigned heavily against Sestak, as the President, Vice President, and numerous cabinet members and Senators hosted many fundraisers and events for Specter. On September 19, 2009, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid even shut down the entire United States Senate, as he, the President, and many Senators instead flew to Philadelphia to host a prominent fundraiser for Specter. The event drew controversy because of its unconventional nature of closing federal business and how the money raised during the event would be given to Republicans and conservative PACs that asked for refunds of their contributions given prior to Specter's party switch. Barack Obama's presidential campaign, called "Organizing for America" during the off years, also led efforts against Sestak.

In an interview in February 2010, Sestak responded affirmatively when asked if the Obama administration had offered him a high-level White House job if he would end his candidacy for the Pennsylvania Senate seat, held by Arlen Specter. Sestak stated that he had quickly refused the offer. When questioned about the specifics of the offer on Midweek Politics with David Pakman, he stood ground on refusing to add information to or comment further on his prior statements. He continued to offer no further details to the media of what transpired until the Obama administration released their official report on the incident.

On May 28, 2010, the White House released an official report on the matter, authored by White House Counsel Robert F. Bauer, clarifying that Sestak had been approached about potential, uncompensated executive branch positions on senior advisory boards and stating Bauer's official opinion that nothing inappropriate, illegal or unethical had taken place. The official report also stated that the offer had been made by former president Bill Clinton, on behalf of the Obama administration. Following the release of the report, Sestak issued a statement in which he essentially confirmed the contents of the White House report.

Republican Congressman Darrell Issa alleged that such an offer and Sestak's not reporting the offer could possibly have been felonies. However, partisan legal analysts have disagreed with the suggestion that such a job offer would be illegal.

General election
Many cited the Pennsylvania Senate general election as the "marquee race of 2010," a bellwether of the national stage. After securing the Democratic Party's nomination, calling it "a win for the people, over the establishment, over the status quo, even over Washington, DC," Sestak enjoyed a slight lead in the general election polls against the Republican Party's candidate, former Congressman and Club for Growth President, Pat Toomey. However, as Sestak tried to recoup his financial losses after a long primary, Toomey did not face a competitive primary process and aired TV ads much earlier than Sestak. Toomey's effective fundraising and advertising allowed for him to rise in the polls, at one point having a double digit lead, causing political pundits to change the race from a "Toss Up" to "Lean Republican." Many stopped short of calling the race "Solid Republican" for Toomey, as Sestak had a reputation of campaigning until he "sees the whites of their eyes" and 11th hour comebacks. As the election neared, Sestak began airing ads in mid-fall and overcame his deficit and was behind by only a couple points, within the margin of error polling. Sestak narrowly closed the gap in October. At the beginning of election night, Sestak led in the exit polls by a large margin, but as more votes were counted, and the "red T" area of central Pennsylvania began reporting votes, Toomey caught up. Counting continued until early next morning, as the numbers were too close for a winner to be declared. As the percentages stabilized, and it was clear Toomey was the eventual winner, Sestak conceded the race to a ballroom-full of his supporters at the Radnor Hotel. He lost by 80,000 votes out of the 4 million cast, a margin large enough to avoid a recount. It was the smallest margin of loss of any Pennsylvania Democratic candidate in 2010. The total spending of the race was $20 million, the most of any other federal election in 2010. After the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling, conservative Political action committees and corporations broke the record for outside spending, airing ads on Toomey's behalf, causing Sestak to be outspent 3 to 1. Sestak responded to this outside spending at Philadelphia Constitution Hall, arguing, "It is we the people. Not we the corporations; nor we Wall Street."

2016 U.S. Senate campaign
On May 14, 2013 Sestak launched an exploratory committee seeking a rematch with Senator Pat Toomey who defeated Sestak by 2 percentage points in 2010. If Sestak is nominated to run against Toomey in 2016 it would be the first rematch for a United States Senate seat in Pennsylvania history.

Abortion
Sestak is pro-choice, holding a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and a 0% rating from the National Right to Life Committee. NARAL endorsed Sestak in the 2010 Democratic primary over Specter because of Sestak's opposition to a ban on partial birth abortion. In 2009, Sestak's invitation to speak to students at the Catholic Malvern Preparatory School was rescinded after the school received criticism from Catholic parents and alumni.

Economy
Sestak supports requiring Congress to offset the cost of all new spending. The Congressman also supports expanding middle class tax cuts and letting the Bush tax cuts expire. He voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Stimulus) and the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008.

Education
Sestak voted for the Improving Head Start Act and the College Cost Reduction and Access Act.

Environment
Sestak voted for the Waxman Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act (Cap and Trade) program. Joe Sestak has a 96% lifetime rating from League of Conservation Voters and a 100% rating from PennEnvironment. He was endorsed by the Sierra Club in his 2006 and 2008 Congressional election campaigns. He voted for the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 and the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security and Consumer Protection Act. He was also an original co-sponsor of the Climate Stewardship Act (H.R. 620) and the Safe Climate Act.

Gun rights
Sestak supports gun control and has a 100% rating from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and an F rating from the National Rifle Association.

Sestak has called for the reinstatement of the federal ban on assault weapons.

Healthcare
Sestak credits his support for health care reform as "pay back" to the country that provided him and his family health care while he was in the Navy (the TRICARE program), especially for successfully treating his daughter's brain tumor. He supports state-provided preventive care and voted for the CHAMP Act. Sestak originally co-sponsored the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiations Act, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act and co-sponsored H.R. 3800, which establishes a public-private Partnership for Health Care Improvement. He also announced the Pediatric Cancer Caucus, which he will co-chair. He is also a member of the Autism Caucus, Diabetes Caucus, 21st Century Health Care Caucus, Congressional Mental Health Caucus, Nursing Caucus, and Cystic Fibrosis Caucus.

Unions
Sestak is an original co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act and supports the original version that includes card check. He created the Labor Advisory Committee to address the challenges facing working families in his district.

Medical marijuana
Sestak voted to allow states to regulate medical marijuana by voting for the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008, which would have barred the Department of Justice from preventing the implementation of state laws regarding the distribution, possession, and cultivation of medical marijuana. The bill was defeated 165–262.

Military
As a candidate, Sestak campaigned to end the war in Iraq. Once in office in 2007, he supported Congressional efforts to re-deploy forces but also voted for war supplemental that the House constructed after President Bush's veto, a bill that many critics of the Bush administration have called a "blank check" for the continuation of administration policies in the Middle East. However, Sestak and other veterans argued that they shouldn't punish soldiers for the President's actions, and supported the bill in order to provide adequate protection & equipment for the armed forces.

Sestak supported the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, which critics contend continues the Bush administration's policy of warrantless wiretapping and provides retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies who participated in the National Security Agency's "terrorist surveillance program."

Sestak supported the deployment of additional troops to Afghanistan in late 2009, and military actions such as drone strikes in northwest Pakistan. He supports the gradual drawdown of troops from Iraq.

Sestak was an opponent of "don't ask, don't tell", the policy that excludes gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the military, saying that the policy means "[w]e're absolutely not adhering to the ideals of our nation". Sestak was instrumental in bringing to light a two-year pattern of abuse, including anti-gay hazing, that took place within a Military Working Dog unit stationed in Bahrain, sparking an investigation that turned up nearly 100 instances of abuse.

Personal life
Sestak is married to the former Susan L. Clark. In childhood their daughter Alexandra survived brain cancer.