Jim Ogonowski
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| Profession: | Farmer/USAF Veteran |
| Wife: | Kathy Ogonowski |
| Residence: | Dracut, Massachusetts |
| Religion: | Roman Catholic |
| Political Party: | Republican |
James "Jim" Ogonowski (born 1958) was the Republican nominee for the United States House of Representatives representing Massachusetts's 5th congressional district in a 2007 special election, which was triggered by the resignation of Congressman Marty Meehan.
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[edit] Biography
Jim Ogonowski was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the fourth of five children. He was raised in Merrimack Valley on the family hay farm [1]. He attended high school at Austin Preparatory School and later went on to graduate from the University of Lowell (which later became UMass Lowell). Jim Ogonowski served in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard for 28 years. Upon his retirement in May 2007, Jim was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for the third time.
Jim's brother, John Ogonowski, was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 11 which was hijacked during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Ogonowski currently lives in Dracut, Massachusetts with his wife Kathy and his children Charlie and Catherine. They attend Holy Trinity Polish Church in Lowell. He is involved with the American Legion and the Farm Bureau.
[edit] Political views
Ogonowski initially refused to comment on the Iraq War for professional purposes because his retirement from the Air Force was not yet official, but since his discharge he has said that "the president has completely mishandled the situation." He favors a gradual withdrawal stating "I want to bring all the troops home after we complete our mission of a safe, stable Iraq."[2] Ogonowski has also staked out positions opposing the Kennedy-McCain Immigration Reform bill, and has called for partisan healing,[3] an energy policy combined with sound environmental policy [4] and responsible government budgeting.
On social issues, Ogonowski was pro-choice for most of his life, but said that he had an epiphany and now believes in educating young women about abortion and funding alternatives to the procedure. He is opposed to gay marriage, but is in favor of eliminating the don't ask don't tell policy, stating, "Any person wishing to serve his or her country should be able to do so."[5]
Jim Ogonowski is in favor of the Cape Wind project, a proposed wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod.[6]
[edit] Campaigns for Congress
[edit] Campaign for House seat
Jim Ogonowski announced his candidacy on April 24, 2007 on his Dracut Farm. [7] Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan, who had formed an exploratory committee, quickly decided to endorse Ogonowski instead. Other potential candidate Fred Smerlas soon followed Sullivan's lead. [8]
Ogonowski faced only one challenger for the Republican Nomination, Thomas Tierney of Framingham. He defeated Tierney with 89% of the Republican primary vote. He then contested the seat with Democratic Nominee Niki Tsongas, and three other minor candidates in the October 16, 2007 general election. [9]
Ogonowski raised $168,457.91 in the second quarter of 2007. [10]
On October 16, 2007, Ogonowski lost the special election to Democrat Nicola "Niki" Tsongas by a 51%-45% margin, a stronger than expected performance for a Republican in a district that gave Senator John Kerry over 58% in 2004 [11].
[edit] Campaign for Senate
In January 2008, Ogonowski announced that he would seek the GOP nomination to run against John Kerry in the upcoming U.S. Senate race.[12] However, he failed by a narrow margin to collect enough signatures to qualify for the Republican primary ballot, leaving lesser-known candidate Jeff Beatty unopposed for the Republican nomination.[13]
[edit] See also
- Massachusetts's 5th congressional district special election, 2007
- United States Senate election in Massachusetts, 2008
[edit] References
- ^ Life on the trail with 5th District candidates
- ^ Ogonowski hammers away at Iraq, President Bush on www.boston.com. Accessed 7 July 2007.
- ^ Ogonowski: People aren't seeking 'politics as usual' on www.lowellsun.com. Accessed 7 July 2007.
- ^ 9-11 Victim's Brother To Run For Congress on www.thebostonchannel.com. Accessed 7 July 2007.
- ^ Our view: Ogonowski is best choice for Republicans Editorial. Eagle Tribune, Andover, MA, USA. August 23, 2007. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
- ^ YouTube
- ^ 9/11 Pilot's Brother Runs For Congress on www.cbsnews.com. Accessed 7 July 2007.
- ^ Mayor Sullivan bows out of congressional race on www.eagletribune.com. Accessed 7 July 2007.
- ^ Special State Elections on http://www.sec.state.ma.us. Accessed 7 July 2007.
- ^ Ogonowski boasts solid fundraising in Dem den on http://www.lowellsun.com. Accessed 7 July 2007.
- ^ 5th District Elects Tsongas
- ^ Ogonowski set to battle Kerry for Senate seat - BostonHerald.com
- ^ "GOP hopeful Jim Ogonowski fails to make ballot", Boston Herald, June 3, 2008.
