Kennedy Family in Medford Thursday to Endorse Coakley

Vicki Kennedy, Joe Kennedy at Medford Senior Center Thursday Morning

Family members of the late Senator Edward Kennedy came to Medford Thursday morning to endorse Martha Coakley. From left: Joseph Kennedy III, former Congressman Joseph Kennedy, interim Senator and Kennedy friend Paul Kirk, Coakley, and Victoria Reggie Kennedy. Photo by Reggie Quaye.

Updated 5:38PM, Thursday, January 7, 2010

Members of the Kennedy family- Vicki Kennedy, former Congressman Joseph Kennedy, and Joseph Kennedy III- were in Medford on Thursday morning to endorse Martha Coakley, who is running for the late Sen. Ted Kennedy’s seat.

Interim Senator Paul Kirk, a Kennedy family friend that is serving in the position until it is filled, also endorsed Coakley.

The event took place at 10AM at the Medford Senior Center in front of a packed audience that included local officials, campaign supporters, seniors, and others.

The Kennedy family discussed the need for national health care reform to lower costs and expand coverage for Massachusetts businesses and families, and said Martha Coakley’s record of results will help make Senator Kennedy’s dream of fundamental health care reform a reality.

“We are lucky here in Massachusetts,” Mrs. Kennedy said. “We are used to world class representation, and we need to continue that tradition by sending Martha Coakley to the U.S. Senate. The importance of having a voice you can count on in Washington has never been more important and obvious then in the recent debate about health care reform. Health care reform was the cause of Teddy’s life. It is the moral issue of our time. Martha Coakley shares those beliefs. She’ll go to Washington and fight for us.”

Congressman Joe Kennedy called today a happy occasion for his family, and highlighted the historic nature of this election. “I think that my Uncle Teddy would be so proud that, with Martha Coakley, we are going to elect the first woman Senator from the state of Massachusetts. He would be so happy to know that that’s his legacy.”

Senator Paul G. Kirk echoed Mrs. Kennedy’s sentiments. “This is no time to take anything for granted,” said Senator Kirk. “This is no time for this Commonwealth to turn its back on that legacy.”

Congressman Edward Markey (D-Malden) and Mayor Michael McGlynn, both of whom have previously endorsed Coakley, also attended the event and spoke in support of Coakley.

“Senator Kennedy was one of our nation’s greatest advocates for justice, equality, and those less fortunate,” Coakley said. “It is incredibly humbling to receive the support of the members of the Kennedy family as well as Senator Kirk. While no one can ever fill Senator Kennedy’s shoes, I will work every day to follow in his footsteps and fight for issues such as meaningful health care reform and equal rights for all.”

Coakley, a Medford resident and current state Attorney General, is attempting to become the first female US Senator from Massachusetts.

Republican state senator Scott Brown of Wrentham and independent candidate Joseph Kennedy (who is of no relation to former Sen. Kennedy) are also running for the seat.

A special election is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19, 2010.

– InsideMedford.com