HARRISBURG — Philadelphia civic leader Joe Torsella says he'll seek the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Arlen Specter.

The 45-year-old Torsella is a former president of the National Constitution Center and the current chairman of the State Board of Education.

Torsella says he filed paperwork today to form a committee to raise and spend money, and that he will announce his candidacy in the weeks ahead.

Several other prospective Democratic candidates are considering taking on Specter, who is expected to seek a sixth term next year.

One who decided not to run was MSNBC political commentator Chris Matthews.