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Max Kennedy, son of RFK, to endorse Khazei for Senate

E-mail|Link|Comments () October 7, 2009 01:56 PM

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

Max Kennedy is endorsing City Year co-founder Alan Khazei in the US Senate race to fill the seat long held by Kennedy’s late uncle, Edward M. Kennedy, a significant endorsement for a candidate trying to quickly build his name recognition with Massachusetts voters.

Alan Khazei

Kennedy and his wife are flying out tonight, and plan to make a formal endorsement Thursday before launching four days of campaigning with Khazei across the state.

Khazei, in an interview today, made clear that the endorsement, while significant coming from a Kennedy, was more about his connection to Max Kennedy than a signal that he had the family's backing. Max Kennedy’s wife, Vicki, was a volunteer at City Year, and Max is close friends with Khazei’s brother.

“This is a personal endorsement. It’s not a Kennedy endorsement,” Khazei said. “He’s going out on a limb. It’s a big deal to decide to get involved in this election, and I really, deeply appreciate it.”

“I’m blessed to know them well,” he added. “It’s not about them opposing any other candidate. It’s about them believing in me and what I stand for, and trying to fulfill certain values and ideals.”

Max Kennedy is the son of the late Robert Kennedy. His brother Joe is a former congressman who had weighed getting into the US Senate race. Max Kennedy got into the 2001 race to succeed Joe Moakley, the late Massachusetts congressman, but pulled out of the contest after a rocky start, citing his three young children as the reason.

One of Khazei's competitors for the Democratic nomination, US Representative Michael Capuano, has been endorsed by Stephen Smith, the son of the late senator’s sister Jean Smith.

Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.