Campaign ’88 : Patrick Kennedy Wins
- Share via
Patrick Kennedy on Wednesday became the latest member of his famous family to win a race for public office, soundly defeating a state representative in a Democratic primary in Rhode Island.
Kennedy, a 21-year-old junior at Providence College and son of Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, beat five-term incumbent state Rep. John F. Skeffington Jr. in a west Providence district. He has no Republican opposition in the November general election.
With all seven polling places reporting, Kennedy had 1,324 votes, or 57%, while Skeffington had 1,009 votes, or 43%.
Skeffington had questioned whether Kennedy was committed to the area and suggested he was trying to use the race as a steppingstone to Congress.
In the 1st Congressional District, Rep. Fernand J. St Germain (D-R. I.) held off a strong challenge from political consultant Scott Wolf, winning 55% of the vote.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
