Rep. Joe Sestak, a candidate for Senate, got help from some political heavyweights to start the week, as the Democrat seeks the advantage against his Republican challenger, former Rep. Pat Toomey.

President Bill Clinton teamed up with Sestak on Monday morning during a visit to a suburban Philadelphia Jewish community center. Clinton praised Sestak’s record on Social Security, among other topics, before a crowd of senior citizens.

Later Monday, Vice President Joseph Biden appeared with Sestak in Philadelphia.

Sestak could use all the star power that he can get in his race: He was behind Toomey by at least 9 points in three of the previous four public polls released. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has reserved $5.7 million for the race; by contrast, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has reserved $2.5 million for the contest.

Sestak defeated Sen. Arlen Specter in the Democratic primary in May. Prior to that contest, the White House had asked Clinton to persuade Sestak to abandon the race by offering him an unpaid administration position — an offer Sestak refused.