Kennedy said that he is motivated to run because „our system has been letting down a lot of people for a long time, and we can‘t fix it if we don‘t challenge it.“

„I‘ve got some ideas on how to do that. And I don’t think our democratic process promises anyone a turn. What it does promise is the chance for anyone to earn it — if we think we have something to offer and are willing to put ourselves and our ideas out there,“ he said in response to individuals who have advised him to wait.