Patrick Kennedy following 'true compass' to wed teacher
Kennedy family
Former US Representative Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island and his fiancee, New Jersey school teacher Amy Petitgout.
WASHINGTON — Longtime bachelor Patrick Kennedy, the former Rhode Island
congressman, is engaged to marry Amy Petitgout, a New Jersey public school
teacher he has been dating for some two years, Kennedy confirmed today.
Kennedy, 43, the youngest child of the late Massachusetts Senator Edward M.
Kennedy, did not run for re-election last fall after representing Rhode
Island in the US House for 16 years.
He asked Petitgout to marry him over the weekend in Rhode Island, according
to Sean Richardson, a former aide who is one of Patrick Kennedy’s
closest friends.
"My father spoke about his 'True Compass,' guiding him through his journey of
life,” Kennedy said in a brief statement, referring to the title of his
father’s book. “I have found mine with Amy. She has helped me navigate the
uncharted waters of life beyond politics and given me the reason to look
forward to a personal life with family and friends.”
Petitgout, who has a 3-year-old daughter, Harper, from a previous marriage,
said in a statement that Kennedy “has become part of my family and loves my
daughter as his own.”
The couple originally met in New Jersey at a political event, said
Richardson.
Kennedy said in a text message that a Cape Cod wedding is planned. No date
has been revealed.
Mark Arsenault can be reached at marsenault@globe.com.
About Political Intelligence
Glen Johnson is Politics Editor at boston.com and lead blogger for "Political Intelligence." He moved to Massachusetts in the fourth grade, and has covered local, state, and national politics for over 25 years. E-mail him at johnson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globeglen. |
