MA-SEN: Looks like Kennedy is going to run.

[RandySF]

BOSTON — Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.) is staffing up as he seriously considers a Senate race: On Thursday, he offered a job to a political operative who is well known to both him and his potential challenger.

Rich Thuma, who previously worked for the Democratic senator whom Kennedy would challenge, Ed Markey, accepted the job shortly after noon Thursday. He was working as the New Hampshire state director for Gov. Steve Bullock’s struggling presidential run.

The hire is a sign that the 38-year-old Kennedy is already gearing up as he publicly weighs whether to take on Markey. It also illustrates the tense divisions that a Markey-Kennedy matchup would create within the Massachusetts political class. Many volunteers, operatives and donors have supported both politicians, and now find themselves in the uncomfortable position of choosing sides.

“We aren’t going to comment on the staffing process for a potential campaign,” said Kennedy spokeswoman Emily Kaufman.

But Kennedy is clearly creating a campaign in waiting in case he decides to run.



https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/12/joe-kennedy-hire-rich-thuma-1493027

[hughee99]

1. If Kennedy runs, Markey might as well drop out.

Kennedys don’t lose elections in Massachusetts.

[rampartc]

2. why not wait a while

liz warren's seat may hold an appointed republican by 2022. that would be the time to run.

[hughee99]

7. Why would it have an appointed republican?

Over the last 20 or so years, the state legislature has amended the rules as needed. Dem governors get to appoint replacements, republican governors don’t.

[Indykatie]

3. This May Not End Well For Kennedy Even if He Wins

Markey is a solid Dem with a good voting record. Some Dems will have long memories as they should when Kennedy eventually runs for his next office in his career, probably POTUS. We don't need this drama in 2020.

[Thekaspervote]

6. This! He's young and there's lots of opportunity for him. Markey is a great progressive dem that

Shouldn’t have to face a primary just because someone else wants it. Sure turns me off!

[Hortensis]

8. Not my vote, but agree. Plus, I don't like voters treating

ANYONE as if home plate belongs to their family. For me, being a Kennedy is a solid negative to overcome by demonstrating excellence. Kennedy needs to earn some chops in the house; his entire "career" so far is a bunch of dilettante-ish exposures to positions chosen to pad his resume, including his congressional seat.

Btw, speaking of insulting people who think being in the House of Representatives is an honor and achievement, not just a stepstool, just saw that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed Senator Markey proactively.

And,

Former Congressman Barney Frank: "I have to say, it's part of a trend. I am disappointed about this outbreak of primaries in which there are no issue differences. I told Congressman Kennedy I was disappointed he was doing this. What it means is money and energy that Democrats should be spending on beating the Republicans, a lot of it is being diverted into these internal fights."

[CentralMass]

4. Well that is a shame.

[UTUSN]

5. With good Lib MARKEY there, KENNEDY needs the MUDD question redux: Why?

[RandySF]

9. It doesn't make sense to me.

I don't see an incentive to leave the House where we're going to hold the majority for at least another few years and go to the Senate. It's not like he's flipping a seat.