Joseph Kennedy III Running for Congress?
Joseph Kennedy III could be following in the footsteps of his family and running for a congressional seat.
The 31-year-old Stanford graduate and grandson of Robert F. Kennedy has announced that he will be forming a committee to run for the seat of the retiring congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts.
Frank announced in late November that he would not be seeking reelection in 2012, after holding the post since 1980.
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“I am announcing today my intention to explore a candidacy for the United States Congress in the Fourth District of Massachusetts,” Kennedy said in a statement issued on Thursday.
“My decision to look seriously at elected office is grounded in a deep commitment to public service and my experience – both my own and that of my family – in finding just, practical, and bipartisan solutions to difficult challenges,” he added.
The young Kennedy joined the Peace Corps, spending time in the Dominican Republic working on ecotourism projects after graduating with a degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University.
Kennedy, who currently works as a prosecutor at the Middlesex District Attorney’s office, graduated from Harvard Law School.
However, some political analysts suggest that just because Joseph is part of the Kennedy dynasty does not excuse the Harvard grad from proving he is worthy of the position.
“The name gets you entrée, but then you have to prove yourself,” a former Edward Kennedy press secretary told The Boston Herald.
Some Republican hopefuls even believe that having a Kennedy in the race will help bring in donations.
“This means it will be very easy to attract national money to support the Republican nominee,” Rep. Dan Winslow told the news agency.
Since 2009, following the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy, no member of the Kennedy family has held a public office after a 63-year reign in Washington.
