Kennedy, Edward (Ted) (1932—)

Edward (Ted) Kennedy has served in the U.S. Senate since 1962. He is the younger brother of John and Robert Kennedy and the foremost living member of the Kennedy family. Ted Kennedy, due to his steadfast advocacy of liberal politics, is considered a stalwart within the Democratic Party. Kennedy began public service by running in and winning a Senate seat from Massachusetts, even though he had never held public office prior to 1962.

Kennedy's tenure in the Senate has been tumultuous. On a personal level, he witnessed the assassinations of both brothers, John (1963) and Robert (1968). Further, he was involved in a plane crash in 1964 and was yanked from the debris by fellow Senator Birch Bayh (D-Ind.). On July 18, 1969, Kennedy attended a ...