Source: NPR
By Tovia Smith
Last year marked the first time in more than six decades that there was no Kennedy in elected office in the nation’s capital.
But that gap ends this week with the inauguration of Rep.-elect Joseph Kennedy III of Massachusetts. The son of former Rep. Joe Kennedy and the grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy was elected by a 2-1 margin in his first run for office.
Source: The Boston Globe
By Glen Johnson
The 113th Congress convenes on Thursday, and the most prominent change for the Massachusetts delegation is that Democrat Elizabeth Warren will replace Republican Scott Brown in the US Senate.
But the other change is no small one, either, as Joseph P. Kennedy III assumes the Fourth Congressional District seat being vacated by Representative Barney Frank.
Frank has never been known as a small personality, meaning Kennedy, 32, has a big reputation to live up to.
Source: Hartford Courant
By Stan Simpson
Lost in the national hullabaloo about a presidential election more decisive than many expected is that a political star was born here in New England.
No, not Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, though he too is clearly is on the ascent. And, with yet another billion-dollar deficit on the horizon, it wasn’t Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
The stars aligned for Joseph Patrick Kennedy III on Election Day.
Source: The Sun Chronicle
By Amy DeMelia
North Attleboro – Community School fifth-graders lined up at the windows Wednesday, exclaiming: “He’s here, he’s here!”
It wasn’t a rock star.
It was Congressman-elect Joseph Kennedy III, whose car had just pulled into the school driveway.
Source: Newton Tab
Newton — More than 2,000 people gathered at Chestnut Hill’s Congregation Mishkan Tefila Monday night to show their support for Israel in the wake of escalated violence between the country and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
The rally was hosted by the Combined Jewish Philanthropies or CJP and the Jewish Community Relations Council or JCRC and was attended by Gov. Deval Patrick, Mayor Setti Warren, Congressman – elect Joe Kennedy III, the Consul General of Israel to New England Shai Bazak and JCRC Executive Director Jeremy Burton.
“Today our community stands in solidarity with Israel as it defends itself against terror,” said Burton in a press release. “No government would permit its people to endure such suffering forever.”
Source: The Boston Globe
By Tracy Jan
WASHINGTON — The congressman introduced himself as Joe — just Joe. As the newly elected House members were herded from a group photo shoot on the Capitol steps to an orientation breakfast, he congratulated his new colleagues, asked about their previous jobs, their families, and tried to blend in.
But any aura of “average Joe” disappeared when the redheaded young man with the toothy smile and chiseled jaw was stopped by a Capitol visitor assistant.
“It’s good to have a Kennedy back in Congress,” said the elderly gentleman, holding the door open.
Source: WBUR
By Fred Thys
TAUNTON, Mass. — U.S. Rep.-elect Joseph Kennedy III thanked supporters in Fall River and Taunton on Friday. He’s also trying to figure out how he would like to spend his time in Washington, D.C.
At a diner here in Taunton, Kennedy was talking about how he’s been fielding calls from Democratic leaders in the U.S. House, when his phone began to vibrate.
“Uh, excuse me,” Kennedy said. He stepped outside to take the call.
Source: Taunton Daily Gazette
By Gerry Tuoti
TAUNTON — During a post-election stop Friday afternoon, U.S. Rep.-elect Joe Kennedy III re-emphasized his support of same-sex marriage and said he would consider filing federal legislation to guarantee marriage equality regardless of sexual orientation.
“I don’t believe it’s the sort of thing government should get in the way of,” Kennedy said during a stop at Off Broadway Diner in Taunton, explaining that he believes people should have a right to marry the person they love. “I would support federal legislation.”
He added that he would consider filing such legislation himself.
Kennedy, a Democrat, is the son of former U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy II and the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy. He defeated Republican Sean Bielat in Tuesday’s election, winning the 4th District congressional seat that is opening after Rep. Barney Frank’s upcoming retirement.
Source: Fall River Herald News
By Will Richmond
FALL RIVER — After 10 months of campaigning and a resounding victory, U.S. Rep.-elect Joseph Kennedy III said he has had little time to rest since topping Republican Sean Bielat in Tuesday’s election.
Kennedy returned to Fall River on Friday to greet a group of soon-to-be-naturalized citizens and thank some supporters for getting him to Washington, D.C.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” Kennedy said of his past week. “Tuesday was obviously a special night for me. We worked really hard to get to Tuesday night, and it hasn’t completely sunk in yet, but we’ve been working really hard ever since.”
Source: The Sun Chronicle
By Jim Hand
Joseph Kennedy III says he has not caught up on his sleep yet from his election as the new congressman for the 4th District, but he said he is already making plans to take office.
He said he has to go to an orientation for new members of Congress next week and has to start tackling the tasks of hiring a staff and opening field offices.
Kennedy, 32, is vowing to continue the top-notch constituent service that his predecessors in the Attleboro area – U.S. Reps.
