RFK’s son quits congressional race

By Jim Smith

BOSTON — In a startling political development, Max Kennedy has dropped out of the race to succeed the late U.S. Rep. Joseph Moakley, who died of leukemia on Memorial Day.

The 36-year-old son of Robert F. Kennedy announced Monday that his decision to abandon plans to seek the 9th Congressional District seat was based on his desire to spend more time with his family. Others, however, attribute his exit to surprisingly mediocre poll results and negative press reports about a recent public speaking performance, during which he seemed nervous, unfocused and ill-prepared for the public spotlight.

In addition, the Boston Herald reported last week that Kennedy had been arrested as a teenager for assaulting a Harvard University police officer.

A poll in Sunday’s Boston Herald showed State Senator Stephen Lynch of South Boston getting 28 percent of the vote to Kennedy’s 19 percent. Former Boston Mayor and Vatican Ambassador Raymond Flynn came in third place in the poll with 10 percent, although Flynn has not yet decided if he will seek the seat.

Kennedy, who is a lawyer and environmentalist, has never run for political office, and 38 percent of those polled said he doesn’t have the experience to run for Congress.

Kennedy’s departure now opens the race up to a horde of other potential contenders who had been staying out of it because of Kennedy’s money and celebrity status. It is expected that the Democratic primary will be held in early September, with the general election in mid-October.