Kerry cruises in primary

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) easily survived his first primary challenge in more than two decades on Tuesday, but he also ceded more than 30 percent of the vote to an under-funded political newcomer.

{mosads}Kerry defeated first-time candidate Ed O’Reilly, 69-31, and will face former congressional candidate Jeff Beatty (R) in the general election.

O’Reilly said he was running because he was upset that Kerry kept millions from his presidential campaign after his loss to President Bush in 2004. O’Reilly raised about $700,000 for the race through late August.

The race is a long shot for the GOP, despite some approval ratings that have suggested Kerry could be vulnerable.

Kerry held a massive advantage in cash on hand as of Aug. 27, with $7.5 million to Beatty’s $50,000.