Kearns Goodwin (Son Of) Jumps In

Joe Kearns Goodwin made official this morning what I reported here on Friday: he is running for state senate in the 3rd Middlesex district, to succeed Susan Fargo.

Goodwin launched the campaign with a new web site and announcement.

 "The idea of public service has always been part of my life," he told me in a phone conversation a few minutes ago. That refers to his father, Richard Goodwin, who worked for John F. Kennedy and others; and his mother, historian Doris Kearns-Goodwin; and, he says, the history all around him growing up in Concord.

Goodwin described himself to me as a "progressive liberal," who can also work across lines with people of any ideology. He has hired Casey McCabe as his campaign manager; influential state representative Cory Atkins will serve as campaign chairwoman.

He enters a quickly-gathering field for that race, which is already promising to be one of the most interesting state legislative elections this year.