Joe Kennedy III Endorses Brookline’s Raul Fernandez In State Rep. Race

BROOKLINE, MA — On Tuesday morning, four-term former Congressman Joe Kennedy announced his endorsement of Raul Fernandez, former Vice-Chair of Brookline’s Select Board and a candidate for State Representative in Brookline’s 15th Norfolk District.

“As a former Brookline resident and someone who had the privilege of representing the town for eight years in Congress, I know that this community can truly lead the Commonwealth when it is not afraid to take risks, be innovative, and be unyielding in its fight for a better, more equitable and representative Massachusetts,” Kennedy said in a statement. “Time and again I have seen Raul take on the biggest and most intractable issues in town and deliver real change. I have seen him speak up when others are silent. I have seen him challenge the status quo, no matter what it costs him, to build a community that reflects its best values.”

"At a time in our country and Commonwealth that is calling on each of us to step up and speak out like never before, Raul has the integrity, resolve and energy that Beacon Hill needs,” he continued.

Kennedy represented Massachusetts’ Fourth Congressional District, which includes Brookline, from 2013 to 2021, and he lived in Brookline from 2011-2016.

“I got to know Joe Kennedy as my Representative through our shared focus on racial and social justice and through his deep ties to Brookline. I’ve been honored to call him a friend since then, and I’m incredibly grateful to earn his endorsement today,” Fernandez stated.

Fernandez is challenging incumbent Rep. Vitolo to represent Brookline’s 15th Norfolk District.

Kennedy’s is the latest in a string of recent endorsements of Fernandez’s campaign, including Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, two-term Brookline Select Board Member Jesse Mermell, Brookline Select Board Member Dr. Miriam Aschkenasy, Brookline School Committee Members Mariah Nobrega and Suzanne Federspiel, Brookline Asian American Family Network Chair Chi Chi Wu, SEIU Local 888, Mass Alliance, Act on Mass, Incorruptible Mass, Brookline for Racial Justice and Equity, and the Brookline Equity Coalition.