Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy

Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009)[2][3] was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. In office from November 1962 until his death, Kennedy served nine terms in the Senate. At the time of his death, he was the second most senior member of the Senate, and the third-longest-serving senator in U.S. history. He was best known as one of the most outspoken and effective Senate proponents of liberal causes and bills. For many years the most prominent living member of the Kennedy family, he was the son of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., the youngest brother of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, both victims of assassinations, and the father of Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy.

Kennedy entered the Senate in a 1962 special election to fill the seat once held by his brother John. He was elected to a full six-year term in 1964 and was reelected seven more times. The 1969 Chappaquiddick incident resulted in the death of automobile passenger Mary Jo Kopechne; Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, and the incident significantly damaged his chances of ever becoming President of the United States. His one attempt, in the 1980 U.S. presidential election, resulted in a primary campaign loss to incumbent Democrat Jimmy Carter.

United States Senator
from Massachusetts
In office
November 7, 1962[1] – August 25, 2009
Preceded by Ben Smith
Succeeded by TBD

---

16th United States Senate Majority Whip
In office
January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1971
Leader Mike Mansfield
Preceded by Russell B. Long
Succeeded by Robert Byrd

---

Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
In office
January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by James Eastland
Succeeded by Strom Thurmond

---

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resource
In office
January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by Orrin Hatch
Succeeded by Nancy Kassebaum Baker

---

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
In office
January 3 – January 20, 2001
Preceded by Jim Jeffords
Succeeded by Jim Jeffords
In office
June 6, 2001 – January 3, 2003
Preceded by Jim Jeffords
Succeeded by Judd Gregg
In office
January 4, 2007 – August 25, 2009
Preceded by Mike Enzi
Succeeded by TBD

---

Born February 22, 1932(1932-02-22)
Boston, Massachusetts
Died August 25, 2009 (aged 77)
Hyannis Port, Massachusetts
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Joan Bennett Kennedy (1958–1982)
Victoria Reggie Kennedy (1992-2009)
Children Kara Anne Kennedy
Edward M. Kennedy, Jr.
Patrick J. Kennedy
Residence Kennedy Compound
Hyannis Port, Massachusetts
Alma mater Harvard College
University of Virginia School of Law
Profession Politician, Lawyer
Religion Roman Catholic
Website kennedy.senate.gov
Military service
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1951–1953