(Ed O'Reilly's campaign)
Kerry to Face First Primary Opponent in 24 Years
The Patriot Ledger
Ed O’Reilly, a Gloucester lobsterman-turned attorney, gained enough support from within the Democratic party to give U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry his first primary challenge in 24 years.
At the Democratic state convention Saturday, O’Reilly claimed nearly 23 percent of the 2,574 ballots delegates cast, surpassing the 15 percent minimum he needed to compete in the September primary. Kerry took the majority of the vote and the party’s endorsement.
Few predict Kerry is in danger of losing to O’Reilly. But having to face a challenge from within his own party is a blow to the junior senator, who skyrocketed to national attention four years ago in his failed quest for the presidency.
“I’m here with humility to ask for your support,” Kerry told the convention after being introduced by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He took the stage with his wife Teresa Heinz and daughter Vanessa.
Listing reasons for pursuing another six-year term – it would be his fifth – Kerry said he wanted to bring an end to the war in Iraq, reverse tax cuts made under President Bush, and improve wages, working conditions and benefits for workers. Kerry predicted Democrats would triumph in November, claiming several seats in the Senate and House and winning the White House. He said he wanted the chance to work with an Obama administration to secure the appointment of strong judges, fight for gay rights and the right of women to have an abortion.
“I’m more ready for the fight than ever before,” he said.
O’Reilly and his supporters characterized Kerry as an elitist who wrongly supported the invasion of Iraq in 2002.
David Sullivan, who introduced O’Reilly, told delegates the choice boiled down to “a Yale millionaire who voted for the Iraq war” or O’Reilly, who he said was “born into a public housing project and a family of firefighters.”
“A true progressive is needed in Washington,” Sullivan said.
O’Reilly’s political experience includes a stint on the Gloucester city councilor and school committee. As of April, he had raised $445,000 for his campaign, mostly from loans, a figure dwarfed by Kerry’s $9.3 million campaign war chest.
Gaining 15 percent of the delegate vote was the final hurdle for O’Reilly to get on the ballot, having already gathered 10,000 signatures. He told the convention crowd he would shun “photo op” and “sound bite” politics and roll up his sleeves to fight for gay marriage rights, an end to the war and single-payer health care. He vowed to publish online his appointment schedule with any special-interest groups as a transparency measure.
The winner in September between O’Reilly and Kerry will face Republican Jeff Beatty, 55, of Harwich. Beatty is unopposed among Republicans after Jim Ogonowski, who had the backing of Republican leaders, fell 30 signatures shy of the 10,000 he needed for his name to be on the ballot. The 50-year-old farmer from Dracut said Friday he was ending his campaign.
Finalizing the Senate primary ballot was the sole piece of official business at the convention at Paul E. Tsongas Arena which was attended by more than 2,600 people.
The cast of Democrats in attendance ranged from Gov. Deval Patrick of Milton to grassroots organizers and local elected officials. Nearly all who spoke paid tribute to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who is recovering from brain surgery at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina.
Meanwhile, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York told an auditorium full of supporters that she was suspending her campaign for the presidency.
After the longest, most expensive presidential primary in the country’s history, it was unsurprising that Massachusetts Democrats — who largely supported Clinton in the state’s primary — turned to the topic of party unity at their state convention.
“If change is what you want, then start by shaking the hand of someone here who supported a different candidate,” Gov. Patrick told convention members.
Ed O'Reilly's campaign
