U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy is swearing off contributions from corporate political action committees.
Kennedy, who is considering challenging incumbent Sen. Edward Markey in the 2020 Massachusetts Democratic primary, said Thursday that he is taking a "No Corporate PAC" pledge.
Kennedy said in a statement that he made the decision after hearing from constituents concerned about what he called the outsized influence of corporate interests in the political system.
Kennedy said he shares those concerns. He said political donations have never influenced his votes or policy positions, but even the appearance of such conflict is unacceptable.
A message seeking comment was left for an aide to Markey.
Markey is already facing two, lesser-known candidates, one of whom — Shannon Liss-Riordan — has also said she won't accept corporate PAC money.
