Kathleen Hartington Kennedy Townsend is an American attorney who served as the sixth lieutenant governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003. Her tenure marked a significant period in Maryland's political landscape. Despite an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in 2002, Townsend remains a prominent figure in the state's history.
1947: Birth of David Lee Townsend
David Lee Townsend, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's husband, was born in 1947.
July 4, 1951: Birth of Kathleen Hartington Kennedy Townsend
Kathleen Hartington Kennedy Townsend was born on July 4, 1951.
1960: Allegations of Election Fraud
Following the 1960 presidential election, there were unproven rumors alleging that John F. Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's uncle, had stolen the election.
1964: Excellence in Horsemanship
During the summer of 1964, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend received recognition for her horsemanship skills, winning four blue ribbons.
August 29, 1965: Horse Riding Accident
Fourteen-year-old Kathleen Kennedy Townsend experienced a significant horse riding accident on August 29, 1965, at Sea Flash Farms in West Barnstable, Massachusetts, leading to internal bleeding and unconsciousness.
1973: Marriage to David Lee Townsend
In 1973, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend married David Lee Townsend, who she met during her time at Radcliffe.
1974: Bachelor's Degree from Radcliffe College
In 1974, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend earned her bachelor's degree in history and literature from Radcliffe College.
1978: Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1978.
1980: Involvement in Ted Kennedy's Presidential Campaign
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend actively participated in her uncle Ted Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1980, demonstrating her engagement in politics.
1982: Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and Law Clerk
In 1982, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was admitted to the Massachusetts bar and also took on the role of a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge A. David Mazzone.
1984: Relocation to Maryland
In 1984, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and her husband made the decision to move to Maryland, her husband's home state.
1985: Admitted to the Maryland Bar
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's legal career progressed further in 1985 when she was admitted to the Maryland bar.
1986: First Kennedy to Lose a General Election
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend became the first member of the Kennedy family to experience a loss in a general election in 1986 when she ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 2nd congressional district.
1993: Overseeing Grants at the U.S. Justice Department
In 1993, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend took on a role at the U.S. Justice Department where she was responsible for overseeing grants provided to local police departments and community groups.
1994: Selected as Running Mate for Governor
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was chosen as the running mate by Parris Glendening, who was running for governor of Maryland in 1994.
January 1995: Lawsuit Challenging Election Results
In January 1995, a lawsuit was filed challenging the results of the Maryland gubernatorial election, with allegations of illegal votes cast in Baltimore.
1995: Became the Sixth Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
In 1995, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend became the sixth lieutenant governor of Maryland, marking the beginning of her tenure in this position.
1998: Re-election with a Wider Margin
The year 1998 saw Glendening and Townsend winning the Maryland gubernatorial election once again, but this time with a larger margin of victory compared to the previous election.
2002: Unsuccessful Run for Governor of Maryland
In 2002, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend unsuccessfully ran for the position of governor of Maryland.
2002: Maryland Gubernatorial Election
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend participated in the Maryland gubernatorial election of 2002, running against Republican Bob Ehrlich and Libertarian Spear Lancaster.
2003: End of Tenure as Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's tenure as the lieutenant governor of Maryland ended in 2003.
2007: Publication of "Failing America's Faithful"
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend authored a book titled "Failing America's Faithful: How Today's Churches Are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their Way", which was published in 2007.
2008: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton
In the 2008 Democratic primaries, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, along with her siblings Robert Jr. and Kerry, endorsed Hillary Clinton for president.
September 2009: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend Joins ACORN Advisory Council
In September 2009, following a scandal involving hidden camera footage, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was appointed to the independent Advisory Council of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). The council's purpose was to review ACORN's operations.
December 2010: Chair of American Bridge and Fundraising Efforts
In December 2010, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was appointed chair of American Bridge, a non-profit aimed at raising funds for Democratic candidates and causes, aiming to match Republican spending.
2010: Chair of American Bridge
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend assumed the role of chair at American Bridge, a non-profit organization, in 2010.
June 27, 2011: Birth of Gideon Joseph Kennedy McKean
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's daughter, Maeve, gave birth to a son, Gideon Joseph Kennedy McKean, on June 27, 2011, marking the arrival of the first great-grandchild for Bobby and Ethel Kennedy.
April 2, 2020: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's daughter and grandson go missing.
On April 2, 2020, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's daughter, Maeve, and grandson, Gideon, went missing after a canoeing accident in the Chesapeake Bay.
April 2020: David Townsend's Faculty Position at St. John's College
As of April 2020, David Townsend, Kathleen's husband, holds a faculty position at St. John's College in Annapolis.
2021: Advisor in the U.S. Department of Labor
Beginning in 2021, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend took on the role of an advisor on retirement within the United States Department of Labor.
2023: Last White Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
As of 2023, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend holds the distinction of being the last white person to have served as the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland.
2024: Endorsement of Joe Biden's Re-election
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend endorsed incumbent Democrat Joe Biden for re-election in the 2024 United States presidential election, despite her brother Robert's potential third-party/independent challenge.