The presidential race results were no surprise, committee chairman Eleni Varitimos said. Clinton took Methuen 5,207 to 2,168 in the Feb. 5 state presidential primary.

"Clinton won this area before. ... It's nice to see," Varitimos said. "Now, Kerry and O'Reilly. That could be an interesting primary coming up."

O'Reilly said he was encouraged by coming so close, especially since he brought none of his own supporters to the event.

"The Kerry campaign brought in supporters from outside Methuen," he said. "I think the people of Methuen can see I'm a working man. I am someone they can identify with. ... I'm going to have to get past the name recognition."

[ read the full article ]