Joe Torsella, a former deputy mayor of Philadelphia and former leader of the National Constitution Center, issued a statement today indicating he will remain in the race for the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic nomination. Torsella remains the only Democrat who has announced his candidacy, except for Sen. Arlen Specter -- who announced his party switch and intentions to run as a Democrat today.

"I decided to run for the United States Senate from Pennsylvania for one simple reason: I believe we need new leadership, new ideas, and new approaches in Washington. It's become obvious that the old ways of doing business might have worked for the special interests, but they haven't worked for the rest of us," Torsella said.

"Nothing about today's news regarding Senator Specter changes that, or my intention to run for the Democratic nomination to the Senate in 2010 - an election that is still a full year away."