John Kerry, who voted 'Aye' on Iraq war, faces first primary challenger

For the first time since he was elected to the Senate 24 years ago, John Kerry, who voted for the use of military force in Iraq before he opposed the conflict, will face a primary challenger for his Massachusetts seat.

Attorney and former Gloucester City Councilman Ed O'Reilly, a onetime commercial lobsterman, won 22.5% of the delegates Saturday at the Democratic state convention in Lowell, Mass., to secure a place on the state primary ballot in September.

O'Reilly has been endorsed by Progressive Democrats of America, the antiwar group that helped activist Donna Edwards unseat eight-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Albert R. Wynn in Maryland earlier this year.

Just four years ago Kerry was the losing Democratic nominee for president. He won the state party's endorsement today by capturing a majority of the convention delegates. He's expected to turn back the challenge.

"I'm here with humility to ask for your support," Kerry said.. "We have literally so much unfinished business ... My friends, I have more energy, I feel more focused, I'm more ready for the fight than ever before."

The last serious challenge Kerry faced for the Senate seat was in 1996, when he beat Republican Massachusetts Gov. William Weld in what was seen as a contest between potential presidential contenders. He's not faced a Democratic challenger since winning a three-way primary in 1984 to succeed Sen. Paul Tsongas.

The winner of the Sept. 16 primary will face Republican candidate Jeff Beatty in the general election. Matthew Hay Brown has the full story here.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo Credit: AP

Comments

[BJ]

Kerry is going to lose his seat, as are Pelosi et al.

It's a disgrace what the DNC has done to this primary, and although most Democratic voters will stick to the party lines, some Democratic party politicians are in grave danger of losing their seats.

[Michael Steinhoff]

This is the year of Change and time for a fresh face and new blood. Ed O'Reilly is that man and he has my vote. Kerry has lost my respect and admiration since proving his waffling on the Iraq vote and showing his lack of stomach to put up the needed fight during his pathetic Presidential campaign in 2004 - an election the Democrats should have won easily.

Go Ed O'Reilly !

[nana4]

I would vote him OUT as part of the CHANGE in Washington and in the Democratic Party that he has endorsed. He seems to fit the description exactly of the old style politician and the new style politicians are railing agains; it would serve Kerry right. The lobsterman sounds just perfect to me, someone who has worked hard at a job all of his life instead of occupied an elitist position in the Senate, where we haven't heard one word from him except when he surfaced to help orchestrate the Primary Coup. Also, he voted yes to the Iraq War so he should be made to accept the consequences for that, just like everyone else. I wish I could have a refund for all the money I sent him in 2004. Do it, Massachusetts!

[Seni]

John Kerry should lose his senate seat because he does nothing for the american people and he's one of those democrates too far to the extreme left.

[Zuzu]

Voting for an incompetent hack like Ed O'Reilly isn't much of a statement for "progress."