Obama to help Sestak’s bid in Pennsylvania, fundraiser planned

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Obama to campaign for Sestak in Pa.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is heading to Pennsylvania to help Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak’s bid for the Senate.

The Sestak campaign said Friday that the president will appear at a Sept. 20 fundraising event in Philadelphia for the Democrat. Sestak is locked in a tight race against Republican Pat Toomey, a businessman and former House member.

Sestak defeated Obama-backed Sen. Arlen Specter, a longtime Republican who became a Democrat rather than face Toomey in a GOP primary. Organized labor and the White House both were embarrassed when Sestak won the Democratic nomination.

Since then, outside groups have been airing a string of negative television commercials against the candidates.