SOMERSET — It was Sean Bielat’s umpteenth town hall, this one in a small meeting room at a Quality Inn off Interstate 195, and there — again! — was a Kennedy supporter in the corner, waiting to catch a gaffe on film.
Bielat chuckled.
To continue getting breaking news and the full stories from The Boston Globe, subscribe today.

SOMERSET — It was Sean Bielat’s umpteenth town hall, this one in a small meeting room at a Quality Inn off Interstate 195, and there — again! — was a Kennedy supporter in the corner, waiting to catch a gaffe on film.
Bielat chuckled.
Comments
This comment has been removed.
Kennedy is qualified for Congress? Why did he move into a district with no incumbent? Why didn't he stay in his old district and run from there if he wants Congress? His family name an obstacle? Hah! that's the only thing that got him noticed. Had his name been Smith or Johnson he would not have made page 5 of local papers. His biggest obstacle is no real experience outside of government or trust funds.
I suspect that Joe is a nice young man. Buy why would any intelligent person vote for him instead of Sean Bielat? As we all know, he has one qualification for office.
By every objective measure, Sean Bielat is the superior choice. But his fate is already sealed. As for Joseph Kennedy III, he may or may not be a "nice" young man. One can hardly tell from the slavishly sycophantic coverage that he has received from the Globe reporters who have covered this race. But when Kennedy wins, as win he will, it will be his name, rather than his record of accomplishment, that will determine the outcome. And deep down, he will know that, and it will be something he has to live with. My hope would be that Joe III governs in the self-giving tradition of the Kennedy women, rather than in the predatory and self-seeking tradition of the Kennedy men.
I'm so thankful I do not live in the 4th district. Year after year, Barney Frank was re-elected, irregardless of how rude and obnoxious he treated the voters. He knew if he could win Newton and Brookline, he could carry the district. I'm sure this fact was not lost on the power brokers in this state searching for a home for the latest Kennedy child. This ambitious young man, whose only job to date is a public sector position that I'm sure he had to compete vigorously for, moved out of his mother's house in Cambridge and rented a place in this district, and filed the paperwork.The Globe and wealthy donors have done the rest of the work for him.
Do the voters of the 4th district feel they will be fairly represented by this young and inexperienced Kennedy? How much do he really know about the cities and towns he is going to represent? If he wins as expected, why would anyone in their right mind run against him and his warchest at any time in the future? It's his seat for as long as he wants.
It must seem obvious to the impartial observer that come Wednesday, the 4th district will be a faint memory for Kennedy. He is using this district and this election to build his network in Washington and plan for the inevitable future run for Senator.
To answer your question-- YES. We in the 4th district feel we will be fairly represented by this young Kennedy.
Contrary to your spin, we have listened to the debates. We're read position papers. We've heard the ads. There are real & substantial issue differences between Kennedy & Bielat & we agree with Kennedy's ideas, NOT his last name.
And Chicken Little said to Henny Penny (or was it the other way around), "The Kennedys are coming. The Kennedy's are coming." Position papers? Joe3 had position papers? I wonder who wrote them.
I was stunned by the robocalls I got from the Bielat camp. They were the worst I've received-- *snarky voice* "I can't think for myself so I'm voting for Kennedy." Whaaaaat? Why insult the voters you're trying to court? I got two different horrendous calls FROM the Bielat campaign-- they gave not ONE reason to vote for Bielat. It was all snark & insults about Kennedy.
As for Bielat being the superior candidate-- I question that. Bielat as a businessman? Then why wouldn't he tell anybody where he worked? AND--Bielat moved back to the district when a free seat came up, so why ae you criticizing Kennedy? Young & inexperienced Kennedy? Bielat is only a few years older.