Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA) filed the necessary paperwork to prepare for a possible Senate run this week, according to the Boston Globe.
Kennedy confirmed on Facebook that he’s considering a bid for the seat held by Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA), a liberal Democrat who barely differs ideologically with Kennedy. In the Facebook post Kennedy said he is still weighing his options and considering his family and what’s right politically. He pushed back on critics who’ve questioned his possible bid and have argued he should, as a 38-year-old, wait for an open seat rather than run against an incumbent with a similar platform.
“I hear the folks who say I should wait my turn, but with due respect — I’m not sure this is a moment for waiting,” he wrote. “Our system has been letting down a lot of people for a long time, and we can’t fix it if we don’t challenge it. I’ve got some ideas on how to do that. … And I don’t think our democratic process promises anyone a turn,” he continued. “What it does promise is the chance for anyone to earn it — if we think we have something to offer and are willing to put ourselves and our ideas out there.”
In response to questions about Kennedy’s potential bid, Markey dodged, opting to reiterate the linchpins of his campaign instead.
“I’m fighting to protect people who are being punished by Donald Trump just because of the color of their skin. I’m fighting to ensure that we have a Green New Deal that we put on the books. I am fighting to have the strongest possible gun safety laws be instituted in our country to stop the carnage on the streets of our nation,” he told reporters at an event in Boston, according to the Globe.
