Kennedy expecting help from family but not relying on it

Amy Kennedy expects to her bid to oust Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) to get a boost from her extended family, but she’s not relying on that.

“I’m hoping to get help not just from my extended family but from across the country for this race,” she said during a press conference Thursday. “It’s going to be a tough race, and we know it. And I’m hoping that people across the country will focus their attention on this red-to-blue seat and make sure it’s a priority, and I know our family will as well.”

Kennedy is married to former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), the son of former U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy.

There’s reason to expect the nation’s foremost political dynasty will play heavily in the race: Unless Amy Kennedy wins, there won’t be a Kennedy in Congress next year.

Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) won’t be returning for the 117th Congress after he mounted an unsuccessful primary challenge to U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.).

In effect, a loss in New Jersey’s second district would leave the newest generation of the family without a seat in the Capitol for only the third time since 1947.

But there isn’t any familial aid coming over the nearest horizon, Kennedy said.

“We’re just doing a lot of the virtual town halls,” she said when asked if the Kennedy family had planned any investments in the race in the near future. “We’re doing small business tours, nothing specific to bringing a whole lot of attention elsewhere besides on the issues that really are focused on South Jersey.”