John Kerry

Guide Note:

John Kerry is currently serving his fourth term as the junior Senator from Massachusetts. In 2004, Kerry was the Democratic candidate for President; he lost to incumbent President George W. Bush.

Fast Facts:

1. Born: December 11, 1943 in Aurora, Colorado
2. Position: United States Senator (D-MA)
3. Assumed office: January 3, 1985
4. Party: Democratic
5. Spouse: Teresa Heinz Kerry
6. College: Yale University
7. Law School: Boston College
8. Previous Occupation/Position Held: Soldier, Lawyer
9. Senior Senator from Massachusetts: Edward Kennedy
10. Lost 2004 Presidential Election

The son of a Foreign Service officer, Kerry traveled between Europe and New England often as a child and enjoyed an upper-middle class life. After graduating from Yale University in 1996, Kerry joined the Naval Reserve and was sent to Vietnam in 1968. There, the future Senator was the commander of a Swift boat and for his injuries and service in battle received three Purple Hearts, a Silver Star, and a Bronze Star. After returning from Vietnam, Kerry became an outspoken opponent of the conflict. Kerry testified about his experiences in Vietnam before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1971.

After a failed run for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972, Kerry entered law school, and in 1982 ran for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts on a ticket with Michael Dukakis and won. In 1984, he won the Senate seat vacated by an ailing Paul Tsongas. In 2008, he is running for his fifth term as Senator.

In 2004, Kerry challenged incumbent President George W. Bush and lost by a narrow margin in both the popular and Electoral votes. He decided not to seek the Democratic nomination again in 2008, and in January of 2008 endorsed Barack Obama for President.