Joe Kennedy is running for Senate -- no, not that Joe Kennedy

Joe Kennedy is running to take the seat of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and he's trying to make it clear that he has no relation to the New England political dynasty.

The Boston-based tech businessman is running as an independent and is a registered member of the Libertarian Party. Kennedy shares a name with the late senator's nephew, former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy (D-Mass.) The latter Kennedy said he would not run for his uncle's seat in September. 

Kennedy -- the independent candidate -- has dedicated an entire section of his campaign website to explain that he is not related to the Kennedy clan. 

"To preempt any potential confusion caused by my name, I claim no relation to the family or relatives of President John F. Kennedy," he wrote. "The surname Kennedy is very common in Massachusetts to the extent that I have encountered a number of people with the name Joe Kennedy over the years."

He also said that he waited to ensure that no one from the Kennedy family chose to run for the seat before declaring his candidacy.

"Their family has a proud heritage in politics which I believe should be allowed to continue, if they so desire," he said. "I say this not to diminish my conviction for the position, but out of respect for the work and the great contributions their family has made to American politics."

The special election will be held on Jan. 19, 2010.