Former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter Dies

Former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter died Sunday morning due to complications from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, according to reports from numerous news agencies. Specter was 82.

The Pennsylvania senator was elected to the Senate in 1980 and served for 30 years, which is longer than any other Pennsylvania senator.

He lost the seat in 2010 after switching from the Republican to the Democratic party and losing a primary campaign against Joe Sestak.

Specter suffered a number of illnesses over the past two decades.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald extended thoughts and prayers on behalf of county residents to Specter's family.

“Our nation and commonwealth lost a remarkable public servant and moderate political voice today," Fitzgerald said. "Arlen Specter was quick to reach across party and ideological lines and to put the needs of Americans above partisanship. He was measured in his views and worked seamlessly with both Republicans and Democrats.

"Senator Specter was a supporter of both business and labor and an authority on foreign relations, but more than anything, he was a champion of Pennsylvania."

For a full report from CNN, including a brief biography, click here.

Numerous sources are reporting on his life, career, and death, including KDKA, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.