Democrats tap John Kerry's brother to help win governor's office

BOSTON --The state Democratic party is tapping U.S. Sen. John Kerry's brother, Cameron Kerry, to co-chair a committee designed to help them win the one race that has eluded them for more than a decade: the governor's office.

Cameron Kerry, an attorney with the politically connected law firm Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, will co-chair the Massachusetts Victory '06 Coordinated Campaign with attorney Katherine Clark, a former Democratic candidate for state Senate.

Tracey Lewis, deputy director for John Kerry's leadership committee, Keeping America's Promise, has been named the committee's campaign manager.

Cameron Kerry served as an adviser and confidant to his brother during his failed 2004 presidential bid. He weighed the idea of running for secretary of state if Democratic incumbent William Galvin had opted to run for governor.

Democrats hold every congressional seat, overwhelming majorities in the state Senate and House, and every statewide post in Massachusetts except for governor and lieutenant governor.

The three Democratic candidates for governor -- Chris Gabrieli, Deval Patrick and Tom Reilly -- will be on hand for the official announcement on Wednesday.

The last Democrat candidate for governor to win election was Michael Dukakis in 1986.