Joseph Kennedy III Eyeing Fourth District Seat

Just over a month after, Joseph P. Kennedy III has added his name to the list of potential candidates. 

The Huffington Post reports today that Kennedy has launched an exploratory committee for the Fourth District seat.

Kennedy, 31, is also leaving his job as a prosecutor with the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. Middlesex County Gerry Leone confirmed Kennedy's decision in a statement released this morning. 

"I respect and admire Joe’s desire to serve the citizens of the Fourth Congressional District and I am confident that, if the people choose him, he will serve them with the same commitment and distinction that he has served the citizens of Middlesex County," Leone said in the statement. 

Kennedy is the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy and the son of former U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy II, who represented the Eighth Congressional District from 1987-1999.

Along with Kennedy, and have also announced campaigns for the Fourth District seat. 

On the Republican side, sent a Tweet yesterday saying he plans to make an announcement on Jan. 17 regarding another run for Congress.

Brookline School Committee member and Republican Elizabeth Childs has already announced she will run for the seat.

[Update 2:34 p.m.]

Elizabeth Childs' campaign sent out a press release this afternoon with her reaction to Kennedy news:

"As a believer in a competitive democracy, I welcome Joe Kennedy III and all new entrants into the race.  We need more competitive campaigns to ensure that citizens get the best possible representation in government," Childs said in the press release, "I look forward to a spirited, issue-oriented campaign."

[Update 3 p.m.]

Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair John Walsh issued the following statement this afternoon regarding Kennedy's announcement: 

"Joe Kennedy is a superb example of the deep, committed pool of talent among Massachusetts Democrats. I am excited that he and others are considering this race.  Joe joins a list of top-notch Democrats who are weighing a run in this district.  Because of the quality of our candidates, we are confident the Democratic candidate will be the better choice to match the values and needs of the voters of the 4th District. At the end of the day voters will be offered a clear choice between a Democratic nominee who will go to Washington to create jobs and fight for the middle class and a Republican who will go to Congress to reinforce Speaker of the House John Boehner and the extremist Tea Party Republicans who currently run the House in Washington."