I would like to extend my congratulations to Ed O’Reilly for successfully challenging John Kerry during today’s Democratic State Committee Meeting at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Ed O'Reilly, a progressive Democrat from Gloucester, MA, received well over the 15.1% of the total delegate vote in order for his name to appear on the Democratic ballot as a primary challenger to John Kerry on September 16, 2008. Out of the 2,573 people to vote at the convention, 580 cast their vote for change within the Democratic Party by supporting Ed O’Reilly. Before the nomination at the convention, each candidate must produce 10,000 nomination signatures to the Secretary of State’s office; Democrat Ed O’Reilly submitted over 15,000.

As a newly elected Delegate from Westwood, I cast my vote in favor of Ed O’Reilly. I did so because I believe we deserve a choice when it comes to the primary contest on September 16, 2008. It’s been 23 long years since we’ve had a contested Democratic primary. These months leading up to the September primary will shed light on both candidates, hopefully forcing Kerry to work for the vote, instead of brushing the people he represents aside to pursue national interests as he has done in the past. Senator Kerry has worked hard for us, but now is the time for him to become re-acquainted with the state he represents.

Either O’Reilly or Kerry will square off with presumptive U.S. Senate GOP nominee Jeff Beatty during the general election in November.

For more information, please visit Ed’s website at: http://www.edoreilly.com. If you have any immediate questions or would like to contact Ed personally, please call: 1 (617) 924-2008. You may also email Ed directly: ed@edoreilly.com.

Best Wishes,

Greg Agnew