http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/01/12/ogonowski_plans_senate_run_against_kerry/Ogonowski plans Senate run against KerryAssociated Press Writer / January 12, 2008
BOSTON—Republican Jim Ogonowski, who narrowly lost a congressional race to Niki Tsongas in October, is preparing to challenge U.S. Sen. John Kerry, The Associated Press has learned.
Ogonowski, the brother of an airline pilot killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said he's been attending Republican events around the state since his 6-point loss to Tsongas, a Democrat.
"There's nobody in Washington who represents the status quo more than John Kerry," said Ogonowski, who did not officially declare his candidacy.
Kerry, the Democratic nominee for president four years ago, hasn't faced a serious challenger since he fought off former Republican Gov. William Weld in 1996. The state GOP had no candidate against Kerry in 2002.
David Wade, a spokesman for Kerry, said Kerry is running for re-election this year to continue fights against global climate change and for universal health care, energy independence and ending the Iraq war.
"John Kerry brings to public service a lifetime of fighting the tough fights for change and standing up with courage and conviction, and he'll keep doing that in the United States Senate," Wade said.
Ogonowski ran on a platform of energy efficiency and stopping illegal immigration in his campaign for the seat vacated by Democrat Martin Meehan. He also said the Iraq war was a mistake, but he wanted the troops home only after their mission was complete. Emboldened by the results of his first run for office, the Dracut farmer said Kerry is not out of his league.
"We started a movement," the retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel said. "After my campaign ended, I've been very active throughout the state. I want to continue my public service."
Since the election, Ogonowski has attended GOP events in the 5th District, as well as in Brookline, Marshfield, and Hingham.
Kerry, 64, has $9.5 million in his campaign account, compared to the $65,000 Ogonowski has left over from his congressional run. Ogonowski said he's prepared to raise "a few million dollars."
Ogonowski won 45 percent of the vote to Tsongas' 51 percent, despite being outspent by his better-known opponent. Tsongas is the widow of the late Sen. Paul Tsongas.
Ogonowski, 49, benefited from public awareness of his family following the death of his brother John, an American Airlines captain whose plane was hijacked in the Sept. 11 attacks. But he raised just $463,000 for his campaign and eschewed any assistance from President Bush. Tsongas spent $2.5 million.
He stayed close even as Tsongas called in big guns from the Democratic Party. Among the establishment heavyweights who helped her were former President Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Edward Kennedy, Gov. Deval Patrick and Kerry.
Tobe Berkowitz, interim dean of Boston University's college of communications, said Ogonowski's chances of unseating Kerry are "slim to slimmer."
He said Kerry will benefit from high turnout for the presidential election.
"Turnout will be huge. It's going to be a walk for him. I don't see this as much of a workout for Kerry," said Berkowitz, who has worked for Democrats.
Ogonowski "did better than expected" against Tsongas, Berkowitz said, but Kerry's stock is "at a pretty good level with the voters of the Commonwealth."
Republican consultant Charley Manning disagreed, saying Kerry's record of delivering for the state is remarkably thin because he's been more interested in national and international issues.
"I think people are kind of tired of John Kerry being our senator and I think he's ripe for the picking," Manning said.
Manning said Ogonowski's "regular guy appeal" is a major contrast to the patrician Kerry. That, combined with the electorate's general desire for change in Washington, could boost Ogonowski.
"It might be the right time and the right place," Manning said.
