Sen. Kerry launches first campaign ad in re-election bid

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

US Senator John Kerry today launched his first television ad in a re-election bid that has the four-term senator facing his first Democratic primary challenger in 24 years.

The 60-second spot, called “Fenway,” highlights Kerry’s support for war veterans through a story told by Sean Bannon, a veteran of the war in Iraq. Kerry helped fulfill Bannon’s wish to receive his Purple Heart medal at Fenway Park. He also got to throw out the first pitch on Patriots Day.

“John Kerry, he goes to bat for all us vets,” Bannon says. “Oh yeah, and the Sox won, 8 to 3.”

The ad started running this morning on all Boston and Springfield television stations, as well as on cable.

Kerry, in his fourth six-year term, last had a serious challenge in 1996, from Governor William F. Weld, a Republican. He has not had a primary opponent since 1984, when Kerry and three other Democrats ran for a seat vacated by Paul Tsongas.

But now, Gloucester lawyer Ed O’Reilly is hoping to unseat Kerry in the Democratic primary.

O’Reilly has several videos posted on his website – including one of an Iraq veteran who supports him – but has not yet taken out any television ads. O’Reilly had $215,000 in his campaign account as of June 30, compared with Kerry’s $8.8 million, according to federal campaign reports.

O’Reilly sent a letter to Kerry nearly three weeks ago, challenging the sitting senator to a series of debates. Kerry hasn’t yet responded.

In the general election, the winner in the Sept. 16 primary will face Jeff Beatty, a Republican Army veteran from Harwich

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