Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Washington, Feb 12, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Representative Patrick Kennedy has taken the decision of not seeking re-election to the United States House of Representatives, reports claim. According to reports that have surfaced on Thursday, the Rhode Island Democrat, son of late Senator Edward Kennedy has taken the decision as he is ‘taking a new direction’ following the death of his father in the month of August last year.

In a message that is scheduled to be televised later on Sunday, the 42 year old Democratic politician has confirmed his plans of retiring from the office after pursuing a political career spanning across two decades. The taped message also witnesses the leader expressing his gratitude to the Rhode Island voters for supporting him throughout his tenure. Meanwhile, the retirement of Patrick Kennedy is likely to come as a significant blow for the Democrats as it would pose a major hurdle in maintaining their majority in the House as well as in the Senate in the elections that are scheduled to be held in the month of November. At the same time, the Rhode Island Democrat’s departure from the Congress would mean that the US Congress would be without a member of the Kennedy family for the first time in half a century. A Kennedy family member has been associated with the Congress since 1946, when his uncle John F. Kennedy was elected in the House of Representatives and who later went on to become the President.

Patrick Kennedy was elected in the House of Representatives in 1994 and is presently serving his eighth term. His father Senator Edward Kennedy pioneered healthcare reform and passed away last year after serving 47 years in office.