Kennedy Launches Campaign, Stops at Crivello's

A large crowd of supporters gathered at Crivello's Crossing Thursday to meet Joseph P. Kennedy III, as he launched his campaign for U.S. Congress.

Kennedy is the grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy. He is running for the Fourth Congressional District, a seat that will be relinquished by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Newton), who is retiring.

Kennedy, a former state prosecutor, stopped in Milford as part of a campaign launch across the district.

Although today was the first official day of his campaign, Kennedy is already leading in state polls and has received an endorsement from the state's largest labor union.

Prior to starting his campaign, Kennedy worked as an assistant district attorney in Middlesex County. He recently moved from Cambridge to Brookline and registered to vote in the Fourth District. 

Kennedy is the son of former Congressman Joe Kennedy II and the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy.

Supporters at Crivello's described him as personable, and soft-spoken, while speaking with patrons at the restaurant. He took special care in speaking with some of the older residents, said Joe DiFronzo. DiFronzo, the facilities manager at Archer Rubber in Milford, is a regular at Crivello's, but stopped in earlier than usual on Thursday to get a chance to meet the candidate.

DiFronzo, who described himself as independent politically, said he was impressed and expects to vote for Kennedy. "The Kennedys are from Massachusetts, there's a lot of history there. Right now, with the economy, Massachusetts needs a good pick-me-up."

With today's announcement, Kennedy joins a ballot with a number of other Democrats including:

• Former Barney Frank challenger Rachel Brown, of North Quincy
• Paul Heroux, of Attleboro
• Marty Farren, of Sharon
• Herb Robinson, of Newton
• Jules Levine, of Brookline

Brookline Library Trustee and Patch columnist Michael Burstein has said he will form an exploratory committee to look at the seat.

Former Fourth District challenger Sean Bielat and Brookline School Committee member Elizabeth Childs have also said they will run on the Republican ticket.