BOSTON -- Jim Ogonowski first came to the public's attention more than five years ago, on an indelible Tuesday in our nation's history.

NewsCenter 5's Natalie Jacobson reported that as the grieving brother of the pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, Jim Ogonowski stepped forward and spoke when others could only cry.

The 49-year-old Dracut resident was again speaking on another Dracut farm Tuesday, this time announcing his candidacy as a Republican in the 5th Congressional District.

Ogonowski was thrust into a national crisis on 9/11 when his brother, John Ogonowski, a pilot and Dracut farmer, was murdered by terrorists in his American Airlines cockpit.

"Sept. 11 had a huge impact on my decision to run in this election. We lost a certain innocence in our country that day," Jim Ogonowski said.

Although he has never held elected office and has spent the last 28 years serving in the Air Force, the retiring lieutenant colonel and hometown farmer said Washington is broke, and he said that an outsider can fix it.

"Too many times the issues are still partisan. They ask is it a Democratic idea or a Republican idea? That's not the question my friends. The question is: What is right for America?" Jim Ogonowski said.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell graduate said that he hopes to fill Marty Meehan's seat as Meehan heads to Ogonowski's alma mater as chancellor. But he's got his work cut out for him since a Republican has not held the 5th District office in 33 years.

The other challenge is that Ogonowski won't talk about the Iraq war -- at least not yet.

"I am going to wait and comment on the Iraq war until after I stop wearing the uniform of my country and that will be the end of May. It would be disrespectful to all the men and women in the uniform until I'm retired," Jim Ogonowski said.

Until then, he said that he will hammer a pro-environment theme -- ethanol use, clean, renewable energy sources, solar power and wind power.

"A responsible energy policy combined with sound environmental policy is the future of American growth and prosperity," Jim Ogonowski said.

Ogonowski is the first Republican to announce. Other members of the GOP who are said to be considering the race are Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan and former NFL player Fred Smerlas.

There are six contenders on the Democratic side.