PA Dem Chair Hits Sestak
PA Dem chair T.J. Rooney has issued a harshly-worded letter asking a member of his state's Congressional delegation to boost his staffers' pay.
The letter, sent to Rep. Joe Sestak (D), follows reports last week that Sestak paid his staff far below the minimum wage. Sestak is challenging Sen. Arlen Specter (D) in the primary, and Specter used the issue to knock his rival all week.
"As Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman, I am increasingly concerned about the numerous news media reports that you are in violation of state and federal law for failing to pay your campaign employees at least the minimum wage," Rooney wrote to Sestak.
"If you were to be successful in your primary campaign, you would be leading the Democratic ticket in this fall's critical elections for state and local office. It is inconceivable to me that our standard bearer wouldn't be paying his workers the minimum wage. Particularly at a time of deep recession, we can't hand an issue like this to the Republicans or have the candidate leading our ticket being investigated for such violations," Rooney added.
Meanwhile, Rooney also urged Sestak to vote more often on the House floor. Sestak has missed more votes than any other member of the PA delegation, and yet public polls still show Specter with big leads.
"It's clear that while Senator Specter's campaign has progressed and made significant progress - witness his winning our endorsement by a 77-23% vote -your campaign has not moved forward, as recent polls have demonstrated," Rooney wrote. "I respectfully ask that you bring your campaign into compliance with the law, pay your workers their rightful back pay and lawful wages going forward and make a concerted effort to vote consistently on the House floor."
Rooney and most of the Dem establishment are backing Specter, a long-time GOPer who began caucusing with Dems last year.