WASHINGTON (AP) – Sen. Arlen Specter’s main opponent in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary next year is dropping out.

Philadelphia civic leader Joe Torsella said in a video to friends and supporters to be posted on his campaign Web site Thursday evening that he’s concerned the race would become more about Specter’s record than looking forward and that’s not good for the state.

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

He entered the race before Specter switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party.

Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak has said he’s weighing a primary run against Specter.