A former rival, state Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, is scheduled to endorse Sen. Arlen Specter for re-election Sunday at an appearance in Wilkins.

Mr. Kortz had challenged the incumbent for the Democratic nomination but dropped out of the race in favor of a bid for re-election to the Legislature earlier this year. Mr. Kortz said he had decided to back the incumbent after an extensive series of conversations with him and his remaining Democratic opponent, Rep. Joe Sestak of Delaware County.

"I felt, at the end of the day, that after the November election, Arlen Specter was the person who was in the best position to help the working class in Western Pennsylvania," Mr. Kortz said. "He has the experience and he has the ear of the president."

Mr. Kortz said the incumbent had made a series of commitments to him that he would continue to support projects such as the Mon-Fayette Expressway, and locks and dams on the region's river, and that he would visit the Mon Valley works of U.S. Steel.

"Joe's a good candidate; don't get me wrong,'' he said of Mr. Sestak.

"I think Joe can do a good job he's working his tail off, I give him credit."

Mr. Specter welcomed the endorsement in a statement released by his campaign today.

"I am thankful for Bill's strong endorsement which will provide a good boost to my campaign in western Pennsylvania,"

said Mr. Specter. "During his time on the Senate campaign trail, I came to know and like and admire Bill's tenacity and commitment to the working men and women of this state. I look forward to campaigning with him this year as we both work toward re-election."

Washington correspondent Daniel Malloy writes the "Pittsburgh On The Potomac" blog exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.