Ted Kennedy Jr. Makes Big Political Career Decision

BRANFORD, CT — This summer there was talk that popular State Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr., D-Branford, might run for governor as a Democrat, but the two-term state lawmaker decided against that. And now comes word that Kennedy won't see a third-term in the State Senate.

In a statement, Kennedy said he will not seek re-election for a new term as State Senator for Connecticut’s 12th Senate District and that he will expand his efforts to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities that are facing immediate threat.

“The decision to not seek re-election was a very difficult one because I love my job and the legislative process," Kennedy said. "I feel honored and privileged to serve in the Connecticut General Assembly, and I am extraordinarily grateful to the hard-working residents of Branford, Guilford, Madison, North Branford, Durham and Killingworth for entrusting me to represent them and their needs.

“I plan to focus my energy on my longstanding work as a disability rights lawyer and advocate for inclusion and justice for people with disabilities. A cause that I have championed since losing my leg to bone cancer when I was 12 years old. Unfortunately, many of the civil rights gained by people with disabilities are now under imminent threat, as the current federal administration works to dismantle these hard-fought rights, achieved over the past two decades through bipartisan efforts. As the new Board Chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), one of the nation’s foremost disability civil rights and public policy organizations, I plan to bring national attention to these alarming and harmful changes. I intend to use my political experience and background in health and disability law to better organize the disability community across the U.S to resist roll backs in special education funding, stop the elimination of home care services, and maintain protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

“Since first being elected in 2014, I have worked hard to author and pass over 60 new laws that help to preserve and protect Long Island Sound and our natural environment, prevent exposure to toxic pesticides, strengthen access to home care and other health care services, and make our state government more responsive, affordable and business-friendly. The vast majority of this legislation was passed with strong, collaborative, bipartisan support.

“Serving the needs of residents and local businesses has always been important to me, and I am especially proud to have resolved hundreds of individual constituent issues. I plan to remain active in the civic and cultural life of the Shoreline community and will continue to work hard to improve the quality of life in Connecticut."