Republican Ogonowski announces in MA-5 race

[TayTay]

From the Lowell Sun:

Ogonowski running for Congress
The Lowell Sun
Article Last Updated: 04/24/2007

Jim Ogonowski announces his candidacy for Congress. (Sun Photo David H. Brow)DRACUT -- Air Force Lt. Col. Jim Ogonowski this morning officially announced he is a candidate for the state's 5th Congressional District seat now occupied by Rep. Marty Meehan.

He is the first Republican candidate to officially enter the race.

"I'm running for Congress because I want to make this district a better place," the 49-year-old Ogonowski said as he stood outside the farm his father founded after returning home from World War II, surrounded by nearly two-dozen friends and family, including daughter, Catherine, 18, son Charlie, 20, and his wife Kathleen.

The land sits at the square on Broadway Road now named for his older brother, Capt. John Ogonowski, pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, which was the first plane terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11 attacks.

More at: http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_5739357

This is a strong and credible candidate in a district that leans more conservative and more Republican than the state as a whole.

[MethuenProgressive]

1. He's still enlisted? Can he run for office before his retirement?

And in today's world - can he be sure he's not going to recalled to duty?

[MADem]

2. Not enlisted--commissioned. Retiring at the end of May. That said, he may have a heavy competitor.

Paul Tsongas's wife is thinking about running -- that's some name recognition there. A lot of people -- myself included --- "owe" her late husband.

[TayTay]

3. She is running

My husband is a Town Co-Chair for her. (I'm neutral in the race so far.)

Ogonowski is a great Repub candidate. He is more of a throw-back to the moderate Repubs that used to garner a lot of votes in this area. A lot of this race will revolve around how much Bush and his troubles can be hung around the neck of the Repub candidate. (Given that this is a serious Repub candidate who will attract money and supporters.)

[MADem]

4. I owe Paul, big time. It's a long story, but he really helped me out a long time ago.

I've been in and out of state, lately. I'll have to see what I can do for her.

[bluescribbler]

5. He going for the sympathy vote?

Vote for me! My brother died on 9-11!

:puke:

[TayTay]

6. Actually no.

This guy should be taken seriously. He is a serious challenger on the merits. He is not a neocon and not a Repub crazy. His family has done a lot of outreach to neighbors and ran, for years, a famring program that drew in Vietnamese and other minorities in the Greater Lowell area to particpate in programs to help them. (Amopng other things.)

Again, this is a serious challenger and a non-crazy Repub. This should be taken seriously as a challenge, particularly in a district that trends more conservative than the state as a whole. I think the race is still the Dems, but never say never in politics.

[SoxFan]

7. Basically same thing I've heard

My understanding is that he's not a wingnut at all.

That said, the Dems have some good candidates looking at this race, and should be able to hold the seat.