Yet Another Kennedy To Enter National Politics

Everything I am hearing on Tuesday points to Chris Kennedy getting into the Illinois 2010 Senate race. Maybe this will change but a Kennedy decision is close. As of Tuesday afternoon, the plan calls for him to be announcing sometime probably next week. Long time Kennedy family friend Jay Doherty is being tapped to head up the fund-raising effort.

Kennedy, 45, would enter the race for Roland Burris' seat, formerly held by Barack Obama. Burris, who was appointed by disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich, may want to hold onto his position. Also in the mix on the Democratic side are Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Chicago Urban League Chief Cheryl Jackson.

This would be Kennedy's first run for office, though he's been active in a number of campaigns including President Obama's run for the White House. Kennedy is president of Chicago's Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. which runs design centers and other properties in the U.S. and one in Canada. He is married to Sheila Sinclair Berner and they have four kids.