[1][2] Before moving up to the Senate, Kenny served in the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature, the General Assembly, from 1987 to 1993.

Upon the resignation of Bob Menendez from the New Jersey Senate, due to his election to the United States House of Representatives, Kenny was selected to fill the vacancy.

Kenny served in the United States Navy from 1968 to 1971 as a Lieutenant, junior grade.

[citation needed] From 1983 to 1987, Mr. Kenny was counsel to the state division of the American Cancer Society.

He served, at the appointment of the New Jersey Supreme Court, on the District VI Ethics Committee which reviewed complaints against lawyers, from 1985 to 1988.