U.S. Senate

Job Description: A U.S. Senator is an elected member of Congress. Two U.S. Senators are elected from each state. Splitting their time between Washington D.C. and their home state, Senators write and vote on federal legislation. Senators are assigned to serve on committees, in which they review bills, or proposed laws. Each committee focuses on a different topic, including budget, health, education, foreign relations, transportation and homeland security.

A U.S. Senator must be at least 30 years old, be a U.S. citizen and live in the state in which he is elected. A U.S. senator serves a six-year term. This year in Pennsylvania there is one senate seat up for election.

Unofficial Candidates for US Senate

Democrats

Joe Sestak

Current Job:     U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District since 2007
Website:      www.joesestak.com
Background:     United States Navy 1974-2005, Retired as two star Rear Admiral
                            National Security Council, Director for Defense Policy 1994-1997
Hometown:       Edgmont Township, Delaware County

Arlen Specter

Current Job:     U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania since 1980
Website:            www.specter2010.com
Background:     Philadelphia District Attorney 1966-1974
Hometown:       Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

Joe VodVarka

Current Job:     Small Business Owner, 31 years
Website:            www.joevodvarka.com
Background:     Over fifty years involved with the spring manufacturing industry
Hometown:       McKees Rock, Allegheny County

Republicans

Peg Luksik

Current Job:     Founder of Mom's House, 1983
Website:            pegluksik.com
Background:     Founder of Pennsylvania Parent's Commission
                            Founder of National Parent's Commission
Hometown:       Westmont, Cambria County

Pat Toomey

Current Job:     Full-Time Candidate
Website:            www.toomeyforsenate.com
Background:     U.S. Representative, 1999-2005
                            President of the Club for Growth, 2005-2009
Hometown:       Zionsville, Lehigh County

Andrew Zahalsky

Current Job:     Monongahela Valley Hospital, Director of Medical Oncology
Website:            www.drzahalskyforsenate.com
Background:     Research published in
                                 "Mutagenesis"; "Investigational New Drugs"; "Journal of Clinical Oncology"
Hometown:       Monongahela, Washington County

Independents

Larry Murphy

Current Job:     Businessman
Website:            www.citizensforlarrymurphy.com
Background:     United States Air Force, Major, 24+ years, retired 2008
                            Scientific Researcher, 20+ years
Hometown:       Hermitage, Mercer County

Mike Yilit

Current Job:     Self-Employed in Construction
Website:            www.mikeyilitforsenate.net
Background:     Pursuing a Pastoral Degree from the Pennsylvania Bible Alliance
Hometown:       Charleroi, Washington County