Spilka describes Kennedy as “champion for education, environmental sustainability, cultural development”
OCT. 2, 2025…..Sen. Edward Kennedy, a fourth-term Democrat from Lowell, has died, Senate President Karen Spilka informed senators early Thursday afternoon. He was 74.
A longtime member of the Lowell City Council before he was elected in 2018 to the Massachusetts Senate, Kennedy had been serving this session as Senate chairman of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets and Senate vice chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education.
“He was a valued member of the Senate and passionate advocate for the people of the First Middlesex district. Ed was a champion for education, environmental sustainability, cultural development and, of course, his beloved hometown of Lowell. He will be deeply missed by all those fortunate enough to know him,” Spilka said in an email to senators and staff.
Spilka told senators her office will share details of services for Kennedy as soon as they are available. Spilka’s notice did not mention a cause or date of death. The Lowell Sun reported that Kennedy died Wednesday night at Lowell General Hospital.
Kennedy was a Lowell city councilor from 1978 to 1985 and then again from 2011 to 2019, and he held the title of mayor during the 2016-2017 term. He was also a Middlesex County commissioner from 1992 to 1996, according to his profile in the Massachusetts Political Almanac. He worked as public information officer and legislative liaison for the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services from 1981 to 1987, and then as a commercial real estate appraiser for Madison Copp Appraisals until 2019.
Kennedy’s First Middlesex District along the New Hampshire border includes Lowell, Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell and Tyngsborough.
Spilka’s office did not mention its responsibility for selecting the date for a special election to fill Kennedy’s seat. Senate rules say the president has 20 days from the time the vacancy occurs to schedule a date for a special election and that “the proposed date of the special election shall then be put before the members of the Senate for a vote.”
Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings until sunset on the day of Kennedy’s interment, in honor of his life and legacy.
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of State Senator Ed Kennedy. For nearly 50 years, he has been a fixture of the Lowell government, dedicating his life to service and delivering for his community,” she said. “It’s been an honor to partner with him on everything from housing to education.”
