PEABODY - Sen. Fred Berry is in a good financial position to run for re-election in the fall - not that anyone has stepped up to challenge the powerful Peabody Democrat.

Berry, a former Peabody city councilor, already has raised more than $130,000 for his campaign, outpacing all but seven other senators, according to an Associated Press review.

"It doesn't guarantee anything," Berry said. "But raising money is a necessary evil in politics to be a successful candidate."

Berry downplayed the significance of his fund-raising, but noted that the amount does put potential rivals on notice.

"If you're going to run against me, you have to recognize I have the resources to get out my message and my story," he said. "I think I have a very strong story and message that I have collected over my career."

Asked for his message, Berry said, "Basically, I think most people would agree that I spent my career fighting for the less fortunate, bringing home good state resources to my district and making education and health care a priority."

Berry, 54, is the Senate majority leader and a 20-year veteran of the body. He often is referred to as the "dean of the Senate" due to his lengthy career there.

So far, no one has stepped up to challenge Berry this year. The last person to run against Berry was Steven Glovsky of Salem in 1996. Berry defeated Glovsky by more than 25,000 votes - 44,695 to 19,355.