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Independent Kurt Hayes is a hard-working husband, father and businessperson. Kurt is fed up with the ineffectiveness of our elected representatives in
Independent Patrick Murphy, a 25-year-old resident of the Grove section in Lowell, is running as an independent candidate. Murphy's ties to the district are many. Among the fifth generation of Murphys to call Lowell home, he is the son of longtime Lowell teachers Joan and Dan Murphy, and the grandson of Grace and the late William Bovitz and of the late Helen and George B. Murphy, a former Lowell city councilor and state representative. With his twin brother Daniel, he trained for several years as an amateur boxer at Ramahlo's West End Gym on Lawrence Street. Patrick graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover on a four-year scholarship, and has worked throughout the district since the age of 16 with cousins Dan O'Connor and Joe Donlan as a laborer and now as a journeyman brick- and stonemason. Patrick has, through scholarships and his own labor, attended American University, Trinity College Dublin and Emory University, but has chosen to continue his learning outside the traditional university system. While intensely independent-minded, he describes his political philosophy as "simply a deep and abiding concern for people." Murphy enters this race independent of any donor, or group of donors, of any party or political organization, of pundits, pollsters, or political consultants. If elected, he would accept for his salary no more the median income of other workers here in the district, donating the balance to local charitable groups, and would forgo health insurance until every American has access to health care. "I am running," Murphy says, "not to become a member of an exclusive, affluent political class, but to exercise my rights and responsibilities fully as a citizen legislator on behalf of my fellow citizens."
Republican Jim Ogonowski first came to the nation's attention on 9/11, when the plane his brother John was piloting was hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center. That day, Jim spoke on his family's behalf, and on behalf of our grieving nation. In the words of ABC News, Jim "stepped forward and spoke when others could only cry." Jim was born in Lowell, the fourth of five children. After serving in the Army Air Corps, his father returned to Dracut and purchased a family farm. He worked the farm as a second job so that he could send his five children to college. Jim Ogonowski graduated from the University of Lowell. For the past 28 years, Jim served in the Air Force and Air National Guard. As the Commander of the Tanker Task Force Mission, Jim was responsible for planning, coordinating and executing the transatlantic movement of Air Combat Command fighter aircraft into and out of all of Southwest Asia and Europe. Through Jim's leadership, the office became the role model of the air command's rapid response team. His outstanding performance led to his promotion to lieutenant colonel. In 2005, Jim was one of the organizers of the largest airlift in New Hampshire National Guard history, deploying 1,000 soldiers and airmen to provide relief during Hurricane Katrina. Upon his retirement, Jim was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding service to his country, marking the third time he received this prestigious award. Jim lives in Dracut with his wife, Kathy, and his children, Charlie and Catherine. They attend Holy Trinity Polish Church in Lowell. Jim is a member of the American Legion and the Farm Bureau.
Constititution Party candidate Kevin Thompson has been a Massachusetts resident most of his life. Upon graduating college, he became an elementary schoolteacher at a small Christian school. Shortly after this, he moved to Connecticut to become a youth pastor and was ordained into the preaching ministry as an independent fundamental Baptist. Two years later, he was asked to return back to Massachusetts to teach and to become an assistant pastor. Soon, this teaching position turned into the role of a school principal. A role in which he still serves today. All of his life, he has had an intense interest in the political realm. Though asked to help in several campaigns, he never felt the liberty to do so. He was tired of all the corruption, false promises and compromise I saw in his party, the GOP. Finally, in November of 2006, he had simply had enough. At this time he was introduced to the Constitution Party. Immediately, he felt at home. These were his people, standing for his values and not backing down. At last, he could feel comfortable in the political process. He was voted in as secretary of the Constitution Party of Massachusetts soon thereafter.
Democrat Niki Tsongas grew up the eldest of four sisters in a military family. She attended an American high school in Japan while her father was stationed at Fuchu Air Force Base and then spent one year at Michigan State before attending Smith College in Northampton. In 1967, Niki spent the summer in Alexandria, Va. It was then that she met Paul Tsongas who was working as an intern for then 5th District Congressman Brad Morse. After graduating from Smith, Niki moved to New York City where she took a job as a social worker. Paul meanwhile returned to Lowell where he started to work on his race for city council. They married in 1969 and took up permanent residence in Lowell. 1974 would turn out to be a landmark year for Paul and Niki: they gave birth to their first daughter, Ashley, and Paul would run (and win) his race for Congress. In 1978 Paul launched his run for the U.S. Senate. With another 1-year-old in tow, their second daughter Katina, Paul and Niki won yet another improbable race. Paul thrived as a Senator, but in October of 1983 Paul was diagnosed with cancer. Paul chose not to seek reelection. Leaving Washington, Niki attended law school and held the family together while pushing Paul to fight the disease. After a bone marrow transplant, Paul beat back the cancer. Five years later, in 1991, he announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Paul won primaries and caucuses in New Hampshire and nine other states before eventually losing the Democratic nomination to Bill Clinton. Sadly, in 1996, Paul faced a second well-known fight, this time with complications from cancer treatments, which he lost in 1997. Inspired by their life together, Niki has continued her dedication to public service, building on what she and Paul had accomplished. As a committed community leader, actively serving on the Lowell Civic Stadium and Arena Commission which oversees the Tsongas Arena and the LaLacheur Ballpark, the Lowell Plan and the Merrimack Repertory Theater, Niki continues to work for the revitalization of the city she has called home for 35 years. Niki has a law degree from Boston University and started Lowell’s first all-female law practice. She is currently the Dean of External Affairs at Middlesex Community College.