By Gina Gomez
Washington, Feb 14, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Rhode Island Democrat Patrick Kennedy has announced his retirement and has declared that he would not be seeking re-election this year. The Democratic politician made it clear on Friday that after spending almost two decades in politics, he would now like to retire from the political scenario in a bid to concentrate on other things in his life.

The 42 year old Rhode Island Democrat, who is currently serving his eighth year in office, reiterated in a video message that as his life was taking ‘a new direction’, he now wants to explore other things that life has to offer. Patrick Kennedy, who is the son of late Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, has also thanked the Rhode Island voters for the unconditional support that they had showcased throughout his tenure. However, close aides of the Democratic politician have implied that the demise of his father in the month of August last year, is one of the key factors that has propelled Patrick Kennedy to take the extreme step. At the same time, the Rhode Island Democrat’s decision to not run for a ninth term would result in the United States Congress being devoid of a member of the Kennedy clan for the first time in almost half a century.

According to reports, following Patrick Kennedy’s retirement, other Democratic leaders have already started expressing their interest in running for the post. The Democratic leaders who have announced that they would be running for the seat include Rhode Island Democratic party chairman William Lynch and Providence Mayor David Cicilline.