HARRISBURG -- "I'm the underdog, no doubt about it.''

That's what state Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, said today about his chances to become the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010.

But long shot or not, he's decided to run for the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who's expected to face a tough re-election primary race against two Republicans, former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey of the Lehigh Valley and Peg Luksik of Johnstown.

Mr. Kortz, 54, said he thinks his 30-year background as a steel industry manager will work to his advantage, as he runs against "career politicians." He's only in his second term in the state House, having first won office in 2006 when voters were angry about the 2005 legislative pay raise.

"The pay raise was the catalyst for my getting involved in politics," he said. He called himself "a working-class guy" and said he would appeal to other working-class people for political and financial support in the campaign.

Most of the Democrats mentioned as possible Senate candidates are from eastern Pennsylvania, such as U.S. Rep. Alysson Schwartz of Philadelphia, U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak of suburban Philadelphia and state Rep. Josh Shapiro of Montgomery County.

State Auditor General Jack Wagner of Pittsburgh has been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for governor next year, or for the U.S. Senate.

Mr. Shapiro said today he will decide "in the next few weeks" whether he'll run for Senate. "I have been traveling around the state, talking to party leaders and have gotten significant expressions of support if I decide to run," he said.