Former Pa. Congressman Joe Sestak Joins the Race for the Democratic Nomination for President

Joe Sestak, a former Delaware County congressman and Navy admiral, has become the 24th Democrat to officially announce that he wants to run for president.

In a Saturday announcement on his campaign website, the Delaware County native said he wants to be a president "who serves the American people the way they deserve to be served."

His website logo calls Sestak "Adm. Joe."

"What Americans most want today is someone who is accountable to them, above self, above party, above any special interest … a President who has the depth of global experience to restore America’s leadership in the world to protect our American Dream at home … and one who is trusted to restructure policies where too many see only the growth of inequity not of the economy," he said.

Sestak has been caring for his daughter, who has brain cancer. He said he announced his candidacy relatively late because he was caring for her.

In his announcement, Sestak highlighted his military service — he was a three-star admiral — and said the "hour has become late to restore U.S. global leadership that convenes the world for two primary objectives that serve our collective well-being here at home: putting a brake on climate change and putting an end to an illiberal world order’s injustices, from China’s control of the 5G network to Russian interference in democratic elections."

"However, we cannot meet the defining challenges of our time without a united America," he continued. "This is our Hobson’s Choice: not just to win this Presidential election, but to heal our nation’s soul by regaining the trust of Americans — all Americans — by a President who the people know will remain accountable to them alone, no matter the cost to him."

Sestak did not immediately return a request for comment from NBC News.

The former congressman served two terms before running for Senate in 2010, where he defeated former Sen. Arlen Specter in a primary before losing to GOP Sen. Pat Toomey that fall. Sestak ran again in 2016 for that seat, losing the primary to Katie McGinty, a Clinton administration official.

Sestak was raised in Delaware County and attended Cardinal O'Hara high school.

CORRECTION (June 23, 2019, 5:12 p.m.): This story has been updated to reflect that Sestak represented Delaware County and is the 24th Democrat to enter the race.

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