BOSTON—Republican Jim Ogonowski officially announced Sunday that he will challenge U.S. Sen. John Kerry in elections set for November.
Ogonowski, the brother of an airline pilot killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, has been preparing for the race for months after narrowly losing a bid for congressional seat against Niki Tsongas in October.
"Last summer, we started a movement right here in Massachusetts -- a call for change that has resonated across the state and the nation," Ogonowski said in a statement released Sunday. "That means serving the people and not the lobbyist and Washington insiders."
"I will stand up to the Washington insiders and special interests and fight for the people of Massachusetts. We have real problems that need real solutions, not more political lip service," the retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel said. "It is time we send someone new to Washington."
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.
Earlier this month, a spokesman 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.
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 has said Kerry is not out of his league.
Kerry, 64, has $9.5 million in his campaign account, compared to the $65,000 Ogonowski has left over from his congressional run.
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.
