Teddy and his political family
There was really little question on whether or not Ted Kennedy would have a career in public service, having been born into a very politically connected and ambitious family.
Ted’s paternal grandfather, Patrick J. (P.J.) Kennedy, served multiple terms in the Massachusetts’ State Congress but was better known as a “back room” influence in Boston (MA) politics.
His maternal grandfather, John Fitzgerald (Honey Fitz), was a very popular mayor of Boston and US Congressman for Massachusetts’ 9th district (the seat that Jack Kennedy and Joseph Kennedy, II, would later hold).
Ted’s father, Joseph P. Kennedy, while primarily a businessman, was quite involved in the Democratic Party and an early ally of President Franklin Roosevelt. Kennedy was appointed the US Ambassador to Great Britain, on the eve of World War II. His pessimistic and unbecoming behavior while in the post ruined any hope he had held for his own political career. He then turned his attention to the political future(s) of his sons.
John F. Kennedy, Ted’s older brother, was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1946. In 1952 JFK won a very close and somewhat surprising race for the US Senate. In 1958, Kennedy ran for re-election, and while still in law school in Virginia, Ted ran this second campaign.
Of course, in 1960, John F. Kennedy ran for and won the office of President of the United States. Ted was in charge of campaigning in the western states.
And Ted’s (also older) brother, Robert F. Kennedy, served as Attorney General during JFK’s administration.
All this happened before Ted became a US Senator – that is, until he was old enough to become a US Senator.
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