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June 25 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak has positioned himself as a candidate seeking to seeking to restore trust and accountability to the White House in his 2020 bid to be president. The 67-year-old former Navy admiral from Pennsylvania announced his candidacy on Saturday, joining more than two dozen Democrats seeking the party's nomination.
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"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.
On the issues
In his announcement, Sestak said he's running for all Americans, pushing for paid family and medical leave benefits, including child care, and affordable housing. He said the government should invest $1 trillion in U.S. infrastructure and pass immigration reform, both for the betterment of the economy.
He favors tax incentives for investors in start-ups and driving down regulator costs.
On healthcare, Sestak wants affordable and comprehensive insurance and coverage for pre-existing conditions. He calls for restoring the Affordable Care Act.
He said he'd pay for the proposals with tax reform, which would increase the corporate tax rate, restore an estate tax on the wealthiest families, and increasing taxes on Wall Street hedge fund managers and those who make more than $250,000.
On the global level, Sestak would rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate and the Iran nuclear deal, and solidify the United States' place in other international organizations.
Background
Sestak served in the U.S. Navy for 31 years, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974. He earned a master's degree and a doctorate from Harvard University.
He served on the National Security Council under the administration of President Bill Clinton. He retired as a three-star admiral in 2005 when his daughter, Alex Sestak, became ill with a brain tumor.
Among his military accolades, he received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal and two Legion of Merit awards.
Sestak was elected to the U.S. House in 2006, defeating 10-term Republican Rep. Curt Weldon. He was re-elected in 2008 in a race against challenger Wendell Craig Williams.
He ran to represent Pennsylvania in the Senate twice -- in 2010 and 2016 -- and lost both times. In the most recent race he lost in the primary to fellow Democrat Katie McGinty.
After leaving Congress, Sestak taught at a number of colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, including Cheyney University and Carnegie Mellon University.
Sestak's wife of about 21 years, Susan Sestak, is an expert on Russian relations and international affairs. Their daughter, Alex, had a recent recurrence of brain cancer after beating back the disease as a child.
