HAVERHILL — If this city is the trendsetter that Democratic City Committee Chair Bill Cox says it is, then U.S. Sen. John Kerry must be very happy today.
Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, received 76 of 91 votes cast in an informal straw poll for his Senate seat at the annual Haverhill Democratic breakfast yesterday at Maria's Family Restaurant.
He is facing Gloucester attorney Edward O'Reilly in the primary.
"How Haverhill goes is a pretty good indication of how the rest of the state goes," Cox said. "We were very dedicated to (Kerry) when he was running for president. He was our hometown guy. ... It looks like he will be still."
It was an improvement for Kerry, who beat O'Reilly by just 15 votes at a recent Methuen Democratic straw poll — 54 to 39. Kerry had not attended the Methuen event.
After delivering his speech yesterday, Kerry rebutted claims from Republican contender Jim Ogonowski that he is never in Massachusetts, saying he's visited more than 30 communities in the past six months.
Ogonowski released a television ad last week showing footage from his recent "People Before Politics" tour of dozens of coffee shops across the state, where people questioned Kerry's job performance and his attendance in the state.
"I'm all over the state," Kerry said. "Republicans are very good at misleading, making things up. ... I think the people know how hard I am fighting for the state."
Ogonowski faces off against Jeff Beatty of Harwich in the Republican primary.
Yesterday's informal, unscientific poll is used to gauge the support and strength of a campaign's organizational ability. Anyone who bought a $20 ticket could vote, so the outcome reflects only a small sample of voter opinion.
Despite the loss, O'Reilly said he was happy to pick up some support at the event. He also called the poll's outcome slanted, claiming Kerry brought dozens of staffers and volunteers with him, all of whom cast ballots.
"I'm very happy with the response. I think with the regular Haverhill people, it went fine," O'Reilly said. "He brought along a lot of people from out of town. He wanted to try and intimidate me."
O'Reilly filed his nomination papers Wednesday, nearly a month before the June 3 deadline.
"I'm in this thing for the long haul, " he said. "John Kerry is out of touch."
Besides a straw poll, the Democratic City Committee also honored four "Distinguished Democrats." They are Edward Menzigian, Paul and Alice Christopher and the late John Linnehan. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, gave the keynote address.
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Straw Poll results
U.S. Senate
*John Kerry#76
Edward O'Reilly#15
U.S. Representatives
*Niki Tsongas#47
Governor's Council
Timothy Houton#17
*Mary-Ellen Manning#20
State Representative, second Essex
*Harriett Stanley#33
State Representative, 18th Essex
*Barbara L'Italien#40
State Senator, first Essex
*Steven Baddour#37
State Representative, third Essex
*Brian Dempsey#34
* indicates incumbent
