What is sure to be a very difficult race for Republican Jim Ogonowski for the congressional seat Massachusetts Democrat Martin Meehan is vacating just got a little easier for Ogonowski, who secured the endorsements today of two potential rivals.

Former New England Patriots defensive lineman Fred Smerlas and Lawrence mayor Michael Sullivan, each rumored to be contemplating a run, have instead announced their support for Ogonowski, whose brother John was the pilot on American Airlines Flight 11 on on September 11, 2001.

Even with his toughest potential primary opponents out of the race, Ogonowski will be running in a state that has not sent a Republican to Congress since 1994. Nevertheless, chief strategist Matt Wylie argues that the fifth district is not as bad for Republicans as it appears. Last year Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, then a well-liked Democratic candidate running in a great year for his party, only got 51 percent of the districts’ vote (Meehan was unopposed). Mitt Romney, the last time he ran, got 56 percent in the district.

When it comes to the war, Ogonowski says it would be inappropriate to comment until his retirement from the Air National Guard at the end of May, but Wylie argues that Ogonowski’s service and his personal story give him a unique credibility on the issue.

As a Republican in a very blue state, Ogonowski looks like a long shot at the moment. But at least now he has one less obstacle to face.