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.”

The Boston Globe

I am a sustaining member of the Massachusetts Republican Party.  Though I have never lived there, it is the only Republican organization I am actually affiliated with or contribute to.  I generally do not donate to the party apparatuses because in my experience they are usually just corrupt extensions of the good ole’ boys club in Washington.  I just donate to individual candidates or PACs that share my interest.  However, I became a contributing member to the MA GOP after Ogonowski ran for Congress last year.  Even though he lost, I was very impressed with the organization he put together and how the state party really jumped in and contributed rather than writing him off.  They are trying and that says a lot and that was one hell of a well run campaign.

You can donate to the state party here.

Jim also has a campaign Web site, although it is still set up for his past Congressional race.  He just made the Senate announcement today so I imagine that they will get the Web site updated for his Senate run rather quickly and will set up a way to donate to his Senatorial campaign as well.