Ted Kennedy was a politician.
Edward Moore Kennedy ( February 22 , 1932 -- August 25 , 2009 ) was an American politician and lawyer who served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts . Ted Kennedy entered the Senate in a November 1962 special election to fill the seat previously held by his brother , John , who was now the President . Kennedy played a major role in passing many laws , including laws that addressed immigration , cancer research , health insurance , apartheid , disability discrimination , AIDS care , civil rights , mental health benefits , children 's health insurance , education and volunteering . The United States Senate election of 1964 in Massachusetts was held on November 3 , 1964 with the incumbent Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy defeating his challengers .