10 Things to Know About Sen. John Kerry

Get to know the Secretary of State nominee.

Get to Know John Kerry - On Friday, Sen. John Kerry accepted President Obama’s nomination to serve as United States Secretary of State, replacing Hillary Clinton. Keep reading to learn more about Kerry’s life inside and outside of Capitol Hill. – Britt Middleton  (Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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Get to Know John Kerry - On Friday, Sen. John Kerry accepted President Obama’s nomination to serve as United States Secretary of State, replacing Hillary Clinton. Keep reading to learn more about Kerry’s life inside and outside of Capitol Hill. – Britt Middleton  (Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Early Days - John Forbes Kerry, 69, was born on Dec. 11, 1943, in Aurora, Colorado. His father, Richard Kerry,  was a foreign service officer and an attorney for the Bureau of United Nations Affairs. His mother, Rosemary Forbes Kerry, was a World War II nurse who is related to the wealthy Forbes family. (Photo: Courtesy of St. Paul's School)

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Early Days - John Forbes Kerry, 69, was born on Dec. 11, 1943, in Aurora, Colorado. His father, Richard Kerry,  was a foreign service officer and an attorney for the Bureau of United Nations Affairs. His mother, Rosemary Forbes Kerry, was a World War II nurse who is related to the wealthy Forbes family. (Photo: Courtesy of St. Paul's School)

Family Life - On May 26, 1995, Kerry married his second wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry. They have a blended family that includes two daughters, three sons and two grandchildren. Heinz was formerly married to Sen. John Heinz III of the Heinz food family. (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

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Family Life - On May 26, 1995, Kerry married his second wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry. They have a blended family that includes two daughters, three sons and two grandchildren. Heinz was formerly married to Sen. John Heinz III of the Heinz food family. (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

Military Man - Kerry graduated from Yale University in 1966. He then joined the United States Navy, where he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, finishing at the rank of lieutenant. He was decorated with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for his service. (Photo: Courtesy of US Navy)

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Military Man - Kerry graduated from Yale University in 1966. He then joined the United States Navy, where he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, finishing at the rank of lieutenant. He was decorated with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for his service. (Photo: Courtesy of US Navy)

A Little Controversy - In a 1971 U.S. Senate hearing, Kerry came under fire for publicly criticizing the Vietnam War. His testimony detailed dishonorable acts committed by U.S. troops in Vietnam. (Photo: AP)

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A Little Controversy - In a 1971 U.S. Senate hearing, Kerry came under fire for publicly criticizing the Vietnam War. His testimony detailed dishonorable acts committed by U.S. troops in Vietnam. (Photo: AP)

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Carving His Political Path - After graduating from Boston College Law School in 1976, Kerry served as a prosecutor in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, where he focused on organized crime, fought for victims' rights and created programs for rape counseling. (Photo: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)

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Carving His Political Path - After graduating from Boston College Law School in 1976, Kerry served as a prosecutor in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, where he focused on organized crime, fought for victims' rights and created programs for rape counseling. (Photo: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)

Moving Up in the Ranks - Kerry was elected lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 1982. Two years later, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He is currently serving his fifth term. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Moving Up in the Ranks - Kerry was elected lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 1982. Two years later, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He is currently serving his fifth term. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Foreign Affairs Credentials - The veteran senator has been credited for his contributions to the American response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He has also been a leading figure on American policy in Iraq and Afghanistan, the war on terrorism, the Middle East and Israel. (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder  BS)

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Foreign Affairs Credentials - The veteran senator has been credited for his contributions to the American response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He has also been a leading figure on American policy in Iraq and Afghanistan, the war on terrorism, the Middle East and Israel. (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder  BS)

Feeling Presidential - Kerry ran for president in 2004 but lost in a close race to incumbent President George W. Bush. The Bush campaign memorably criticized Kerry for “flip-flopping” on a series of issues during the campaign. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Feeling Presidential - Kerry ran for president in 2004 but lost in a close race to incumbent President George W. Bush. The Bush campaign memorably criticized Kerry for “flip-flopping” on a series of issues during the campaign. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The “Swiftboating” Attacks - Also during the 2004 election, a slew of attack ads aimed to discredit Kerry’s Navy service onboard a Swift Boat during his second tour in Vietnam. The smear campaign attacks would earn the nickname “swiftboating.” (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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The “Swiftboating” Attacks - Also during the 2004 election, a slew of attack ads aimed to discredit Kerry’s Navy service onboard a Swift Boat during his second tour in Vietnam. The smear campaign attacks would earn the nickname “swiftboating.” (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

His Next Steps - Already longtime colleagues (then Sen.-Obama gave a rousing keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, the year Kerry accepted the party’s nomination for president), President Obama and Kerry could next work side-by-side to build partnerships and secure American interests abroad if Kerry is confirmed for office. (Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images)

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His Next Steps - Already longtime colleagues (then Sen.-Obama gave a rousing keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, the year Kerry accepted the party’s nomination for president), President Obama and Kerry could next work side-by-side to build partnerships and secure American interests abroad if Kerry is confirmed for office. (Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images)