DISCLAIMER #1: My daughter (CADreamin) and I collaborated on this diary. Both adding insight, thoughts and information in an effort to write a compelling introduction to possible presidential contender, Joe Kennedy III.
DISCLAIMER #2: This diary is part of a series meant to introduce announced, and expected to announce first time presidential candidates for the 2020 Democratic nomination. It is not meant as an endorsement of a candidate (as there are many anticipated to enter the race) but as an introduction to possible contenders. Some may not announce. Some may eventually drop out.
DISCLAIMER #3: Since Rep. Kennedy officially endorsed his mentor, Elizabeth Warren for president, it’s a good bet he isn’t going to throw his hat into the ring. Therefore, I give you what I hope will be an insight into the Kennedy name and one of its members.
Kennedy. The name evokes nostalgia, legacy, dynasty.
His family’s triumphs and losses have been made into documentaries and movies. They’ve been written about, dissected and talked about over the proverbial water cooler for decades.
What you may not know is, he has shied away from the limelight. He wanted to represent his constituents without “cashing in” on his name, and all it evokes.
His father, Joseph Kennedy II, served as a member of the House of Representatives for over 10 years. His grandfather was Senator Robert Kennedy, and his great uncles include JFK and longtime Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. Going back even further, Kennedy's namesake, Joseph Kennedy Sr., served as the SEC chairman and later the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom under FDR.
Joe Kennedy even got his political start on a family campaign. After college at Stanford (and a stint in the Peace Corps) he worked on his Uncle Ted's re-election bid to the Senate in 2006.
People come up every day and usually say very nice things about my family, but sometimes not. You get both," Kennedy told Town & Country in a 2017 profile, acknowledging that being part of the Kennedy political machine certainly has its pros and cons.
"Look, my family means different things to different folks. I think for most people they have very fond memories and believe my family made important contributions to the country. And I happen to believe so too, and I’m grateful when people do mention that and share their stories: 'I shook your grandfather’s hand,' or JFK’s hand, or 'I met your Uncle Teddy.'"
After his Peace Corps stint, Joe entered Harvard Law and graduated in 2009. It was here that he met his wife (in a class taught by Senator Elizabeth Warren). Joe worked as an assistant district attorney in several Massachusetts counties and, in 2012, he ran for the congressional seat of the retiring Barney Franks. He has successfully won re-election in this strong, democratic district (CD-04). Joe currently serves on the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
At just 37, he was the youngest person to ever deliver the Democratic response to a Republican State of the Union.
While his name still evokes nostalgia, legacy and dynasty; to me his name evokes more than that. He is a Democratic member of our House of Representatives who works to deliver the kind of government we need and deserve.
Other diaries in 2020 Candidate Spotlight series include:
Background info on the series
Kamala Harris
Pete Buttigieg
Kirsten Gillibrand
Julián Castro