WSNJ: I am ignorant when it comes to Massachusetts politics, why is Kennedy primarying Markey. Shouldn't the left have little to complain over him - or am I missing something

BrentinCO: The left also has ambitious politicians that aren't willing to wait for someone to step aside.

BrentinCO: The left also has ambitious politicians that aren't willing to wait for someone to step aside.

BrentinCO: @southern moderate2 what is the point of your link?

BrentinCO: So as ppl got to know him they decided they didn't like him?

Progressive Scot: Im just wondering what the main differences is between the two of them.

Progressive Scot: Kennedy seems more opportunistic

So why is Kennedy challenging Markey in the primary?

It appears to be a combination of ambition and style.

For a Kennedy, the ambition part is obvious. He’s the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy and the grand-nephew of John F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy, each of whom served in the Senate. His father, Joe Kennedy II, previously served in the House. Kennedy III has already been elected four times to his House seat.

“The problem for ambitious Democrats in a heavily Democratic or Republican state — a state like Massachusetts — is that the ladder to the top statewide offices is often blocked by long-time incumbents,” said Steve Smith, a political scientist at Washington University in St. Louis who specializes in the Senate.

“The probability of knocking off such an incumbent is low, so primary challenges are uncommon. But a candidate with ambition and non-zero chances of winning may come to a ‘now or never’ decision.”

If Kennedy were to wait, a future Democratic primary “could see high-powered contestants like Attorney General Maura Healey or Reps. Seth Moulton or Ayanna Pressley,” said Maurice T. Cunningham, a University of Massachusetts-Boston political scientist. “If an opening does not come up in 2021, it could be four to six years — or even more — before a Senate seat opens. Polling told Kennedy that Markey is vulnerable, and the possible candidates down the road are all formidable.”

BrentinCO:
I actually think it will probably be a good thing if Markey defeats Kennedy. I've never been a big fan of the idea that just because someone is the offspring of a well-known politician that makes them qualified to hold political office. But in this country and others, voters seem to do it time and time again. Admittedly, when Kennedy announced, I automatically picked him to beat Markey easy. If Markey defeats Kennedy in this race, future Kennedys will actually have to earn their nominations instead of just expect them.