Saying that "(t)here is no better person to send to the Massachusetts Senate," former US Rep. Joseph Kennedy has thrown his support to former state firefighters union president Robert McCarthy in the upcoming Tuesday, Dec. 13 Democrat primary to fill the seat held by long-time State Sen. Steve Tolman, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO.

"This is a man who has the heart and courage of a lion. He has fought his entire life to make things better for working men and women, for those who play by the rules," said Kennedy in a press release from the McCarthy campaign. 

"Bob and I stood side by side on many an issue over the past 20 years; fair pay, safe working environment, health care and pensions to name a few," said Kennedy. 

The endorsement comes eight days before the special election and a week after the retired Watertown firefighter received Tolman's backing. 

“For me to receive Joe Kennedy’s endorsement in support of my campaign for the state senate is so incredibly humbling,” said McCarthy in a press release.   

“I have always considered myself a Kennedy Democrat after Joe’s uncles, Pres. Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy. Like them, I have always fought for the underdog, the powerless, the voiceless and that is why I am running for the Mass. State Senate," he said.

Joe Kennedy served 12 years in the US Congress representing the 8th Congressional District – succeeding Thomas 'Tip' O'Neill – that included Boston, Somerville and Cambridge. Kennedy is well-known for running Citizens Energy, a non-profit that delivers heating oil at discount rates or for free to the poor and disadvantaged.