13-Year-old Madison Student Profiles Ted Kennedy Jr.

An Interview with Ted Kennedy, Jr. on his Decision to “Enter the Family Business” by Elizabeth Koobatian

Edward M. Kennedy Jr., son of long-time US Senator Ted Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, recently announced his decision to run for the Connecticut State Senate.

He was waiting until the time was right and he believes it is now.

“I think I have more to offer now because I am older and I have been an attorney and I have been a parent and I have raised two kids. I think I have more of a perspective that I can bring with me to public office.”

Kennedy began his campaign with a special effort to get the youth involved. He has over 50 high school and college students volunteering.

“To me, campaigns are about the future although a lot of people want to make campaigns and politics about the past. I think its really important to talk about the future.” “Young people bring a special kind of energy to anything that they do.”

Nicole Hobbs, the campaign’s Director of Communications adds, “The interns have done some great work contacting voters.”

Kennedy is focusing his campaign on addressing important issues such as the environment, jobs, healthcare and disability rights.

“I am looking forward to helping ordinary people with their problems in Hartford and help break through some of the bureaucratic red tape that sometimes exists when citizens interact with the government.”

Kennedy enjoys working with people on these issues and has had a lot of experience helping others. After he lost his leg to cancer at age 12, he made it his mission to help the disabled.

He cites his work for the deaf community in Connecticut which has become a model for other states. Members of the deaf community were having trouble communicating when they went to the hospital or to a doctor.

Kennedy worked with state agencies to come up with a system to provide sign language interpreters at hospitals to assist deaf patients. Kennedy also feels strongly about helping the disabled get jobs. “

People with disabilities don’t want a handout. They want a job. They want to be able to work just as much as anyone else.”

For now, Kennedy has one thing on his mind. “I don’t know what the future will bring but I know one thing and that is what I am focused on right now- its being the best Connecticut state senator that I can be.”